Recognition of Db and Kb gene products by influenza-specific cytotoxic T cells.

A series of 16 H-2b-restricted, A influenza virus-specific cytotoxic T-cell clones are described and characterized. One is Kb restricted, the others Db restricted. The factors governing Kb or Db restriction patterns seen in the mixed populations from which clones are derived are investigated. The Kb-restricted clone does not recognize Kb mutant bml and influenza and all 15 Db-restricted clones do not recognize Db mutant bml4 and A influenza virus; these results are discussed in the light of findings in a variety of other viral systems. Representative Kb- and Db-restricted clones were used to assess the functional properties of cloned cosmids containing either Kb or Db genes expressed in transformed L-cells (k haplotype). The expression products of both cosmids functioned efficiently as mutually exclusive restriction elements for A influenza virus recognition.