Generation of cytotoxic T lymphocytes from thymocyte precursors to trinitrophenyl-modified self antigens. I. Requirement of both killer-helper factor(s) and interleukin 2 for CTL generation from a subpopulation of thymocytes.

The requirement for signals in the induction of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) from thymocyte precursors has been investigated. Either unfractionated or peanut agglutinin-binding (PNA+) C3H/He thymocytes were stimulated with mitomycin C(MMC)-treated, 2,4,6-trinitrophenyl(TNP)-modified syngeneic spleen cells in the presence of a variety of lymphokine preparations. Cellfree supernatant (CFS) from purified protein derivatives(PPD-CFS) stimulated Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Tbc)-primed cells, or partially purified interleukin 2 (IL 2) mediated strong cytotoxic responses in unfractionated thymocytes, whereas only PPD-CFS at final concentrations beyond 30% was active for CTL generation in PNA+ thymocytes. Neither IL 2 at concentrations of below 60 U/ml nor a low concentration of PPD-CFS (at final below 10%) had such a capacity. The addition of monoclonal anti-IL 2 receptor antibody completely blocked CTL generation induced by PPD-CFS in PNA+ thymocytes. In contrast, anti-immune interferon (IFN-gamma) antibody showed a marginal effect. PPD-CFS (10%) and IL 2 (10 U/ml) could synergistically trigger PNA+ thymocytes to induce CTL generation. These results suggested that both IL 2 and "helper" factors other than IL 2 are required for CTL generation from PNA+ thymocytes. We refer to these kinds of helper factors as killer helper factors (KHF). Partially purified IL 2-free KHF show two peaks of activities at apparent m.w. 14,000 to 34,000 and 44,000 to 90,000, and are heterogeneous with respect to isoelectric point, which is between 4.5 and 5.1. Cultures that received TNP-modified syngeneic cells and KHF on day 0 and IL 2 on day 2 generated potent CTL responses, whereas the addition of IL 2 on day 0 followed by the addition of KHF on day 2 to the culture was ineffective, suggesting that KHF is required in the early phase of the culture to achieve optimal CTL responses.