Regulation of B cell lymphomagenesis by a malignant Qal+ inducer T cell clone.

A series of Thy-1.2+ Ly-1+ Qa-1+ malignant T cell clones have been isolated from murine sarcoma virus-murine leukemia-Moloney (MSV-MuLV-M)-induced B cell lymphomas or from MSV-MuLV-M-infected B6 mice. These T cell clones enhance both antigen-independent and -dependent lymphocyte differentiation and function. They also induce the differentiation of granulocytes and erythrocytes in the stem cell compartment, a function that parallels the immunopathology of the disease in vivo. The malignant T cell appears to sustain B lymphoma growth in vivo by releasing a factor (BCGF) that promotes B cell proliferation.