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. 1979 Apr 1;149(4):856–869. doi: 10.1084/jem.149.4.856

Specificity of cytotoxicity T cells directed to influenza virus hemagglutinin

PMCID: PMC2184857  PMID: 311817

Abstract

Purified type A influenza viral hemagglutinin stimulates an in vitro cell-mediated cytotoxic cell response that exhibits a high degree of specificity for the immunizing hemagglutinin. The response magnitude is proportional to the hemagglutinin dose used for stimulation. The lytic activity of the effector cells is H-2 restricted. Analysis of the specificity of the response indicated that these cytotoxic T cells readily distinguish target cells expressing serologically unrelated hemagglutinin from target cells bearing hemagglutinins serologically related to the stimulating hemagglutinin. Further analysis of the fine specificity of cytotoxic T-cell recognition with serologically cross- reactive type A influenza hemagglutinins revealed a hierarchy of cross- reactivity among these hemagglutinins that was the converse of the serologic hierarchy. These results are discussed in terms of possible differences and similarities in the specificity repertoire of cytotoxic T cells and antibodies. Possible implications of these findings from the standpoint of cytotoxic T-cell induction are also discussed.

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Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

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