The induction of murine cytotoxic T lymphocytes by bluetongue virus.

After inoculation with live bluetongue virus, mice produced cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) which showed virus and H-2 restriction. Inactivated preparations failed to induce CTLs. On secondary in vitro stimulation, specifically sensitised memory cells also produced high numbers of CTLs. The need for replicating virus to induce primary CTLs, evidence for partial type specificity and the role which cell-mediated immunity might play in the early stages of a bluetongue virus infection are discussed.