Antigen-specific murine T-cell lymphomas: Functional heterogenicity

Two ovalbumin (OVA)-specific helper lymphomas (designated ROT/6.1 and ROT/6.2) were established by transformation of enriched, OVA-immune T cells with the radiation leukemia virus (RadLV). Shortly after establishment these lymphomas provided carrier (OVA)-specific help for anti-hapten antibody response. However, 5 months later ROT/6.1 lost its OVA specificity and could augment anti-hapten antibody response in the presence of an unrelated carrier. ROT/6.2 retained its antigen-specific helper function over 10 months of repeated passaging. This OVA-specific helper line inhibited anti-hapten antibody response when given together with an unrelated carrier. Cloning of ROT/6.2 by limiting dilution revealed that only 3 of 10 clones tested had OVA-specific helper activity. None of the clones could induce antigen-specific DTH reaction. The interrelationship between the functional heterogenicity, specificity, and stability of the helper lines is discussed.