The immune response of the mouse to lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus. III. Differences of numbers of cytotoxic T lymphocytes in spleens of mice of different strains.

By use of an accurate procedure for the measurement of relative numbers of murine cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) marked differences of lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus-specific CTL in spleens were found among mouse strains that ranged from low over intermediate and high to very high, suggesting a gradient of responses rather than distinct classes. Differences were also found between mice sharing the major histocompatibility complex.