T-cell hyperreactivity of NZB mice against H-2 identical cells. Equal cytotoxic T lymphocyte precursor frequency against H-2 allogeneic and H-2 syngeneic target cells in NZB.

NZB mice serve as a model for human systemic lupus erythematodes. T-cell abnormalities in this strain have previously been described. In this paper the cytotoxic T lymphocyte precursor (CTL-p) frequencies of NZB mice against H-2 allogeneic and H-2 syngeneic cells are investigated and compared with those of the normal strain BALB/c. The CTL-p frequency in NZB lymphocytes against H-2 allogeneic cells equals that in normal mouse strains (i.e. 1/7500). The NZB anti BALB/c response is in the same order of magnitude. No corresponding BALB/c anti NZB response was elicited. The results suggest abnormally high sensitivity of NZB CTL-p to helper signals.