Development and characterization of trinitrophenyl-specific L3T4+ T-cell clones.

Two antigen-specific, L3T4+, Lyt-2- T-cell clones have been developed from (C57BL/6 x C3H/HeN) F1 mice epicutaneously sensitized to trinitrochlorobenzene. Genetic mapping and antibody blocking studies demonstrated that both of these clones have specificity for trinitrophenyl in association with Ek beta:Ek alpha or Eb beta:Ek alpha Ia molecules. One of the clones (D-8) also recognizes nonhaptenated cells expressing Es beta:Ek alpha. These clones should provide useful tools for the assessment of the signals required for triggering immune responses to haptenated self antigens.