Characterization of the murine antigenic determinant, designated L3T4a, recognized by monoclonal antibody GK1.5: expression of L3T4a by functional T cell clones appears to correlate primarily with class II MHC antigen-reactivity

Transplantation of human or rodent tumors into cyclosporine-treated mice: a feasible model for studies of tumor biology and chemotherapy

Total growth of transplanted human or rodent tumors in the subrenal capsule of mice was much improved by treatment with cyclosporine (CSA, cyclosporin A). Tumor size increased rapidly between days 6 and 12 after implantation, CSA injected on days 1-5 or 2-8 prevented tumor regression. In contrast, immunologic regression occurred after 6 days in absence of the drug. Tumor growth was comparable in CSA-treated mice, athymic nude mice with human tumors, or normal mice with syngeneic rodent tumors. Studies with rodent tumors in syngeneic mice showed that the CSA treatments had no antitumor effect. Inflammatory infiltration was seen on days 6-12 after tumor implantation into control mice. Immunoperoxidase staining showed murine T cells to be prominent in the infiltrate. In contrast, tumors in CSA-treated mice contained minimal inflammatory infiltrate even 12 days after implantation. Allogeneic tumors in CSA-treated mice caused neovascularization, metastases, and local invasion into the kidney. cis-Diamminedichloroplatinum showed highly significant activity against human tumors in CSA-treated mice during the period 6-10 days after tumor implantation but showed no statistically significant antitumor activity 0-6 days after implantation in mice not treated with CSA. We suggest that in CSA-treated mice the subrenal capsule assay for tumor growth provides a rapid, economical model for investigations in vivo of mouse or human tumor biology, for drug screening with a standard tumor, or for determination of optimal treatment of particular human tumors.

Cell-surface antigens expressed on L-cells transfected with whole DNA from non-expressing and expressing cells

We have shown previously that transfection of mouse L-cells with DNA from JM, a human T-cell line expressing certain T-cell differentiation antigens, yields stable transfectants expressing one or another of these antigens. The identities of the antigens were confirmed by immunoprecipitation and SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. We now report that our procedure--co-transfection with the chicken thymidine kinase gene (tk) and whole cellular DNA, selection with hypoxanthine-aminopterin-thymidine (HAT), and staining of the cells with fluorochrome-conjugated monoclonal antibodies and fluorescence-activated cell-sorter (FACS) selection--yields transfectants expressing a variety of cell-surface molecules (19 of 21 investigated), most at a frequency of about one per 10(3) Tk+ transformants. Of these, 9 of 12 were transferred and expressed as readily using DNA from cells which did not express the cell-surface antigens as from tissues or cells that did express them.

Cloned helper T cells can kill B lymphoma cells in the presence of specific antigen: Ia restriction and cognate vs. noncognate interactions in cytolysis

Cloned, Lyt-1+,2-, antigen-specific, Ia-restricted T cell lines can inhibit the growth of Ia-bearing B lymphoma cells in the presence of specific antigen. This effect is due to cytolysis of the B lymphoma cells in an antigen-specific, Ia-restricted manner by the cloned T cell lines. These cloned T cell lines can also kill lipopolysaccharide-activated normal B cells, while they activate resting B cells to divide and secrete immunoglobulin and are thus helper T cells as well as cytolytic T cells. The mechanism of cytolysis was examined in detail. Killing was mediated by a nonspecific mechanism after specific stimulation of the T cells with antigen presented in the context of the appropriate Ia glycoprotein complex, possibly implying a role for a soluble mediator. This simple system involving two clonal populations allows a detailed analysis of T-B interactions. Our studies are consistent with the view that both cognate and noncognate interactions of Ia-restricted T cells with B cells are mediated by nonspecific factors. Thus, the difference between interactions that appear to be cognate and those that appear to be noncognate may be quantitative rather than qualitative. That two cloned populations of cells can show either pattern of interaction depending on T-B ratio provides strong support for this view. Finally, that cloned helper T cells can kill activated B cells in an antigen-specific fashion may provide a new mechanism of immune regulation that would be especially important in responses to self antigens in vivo.

Cell surface structures involved in T cell activation

We have discussed four specific models which provide different kinds of information about the requirements for T cell activation. The first utilized a CTL clone designated L3, which is reactive specifically with Ld alloantigen, to study the involvement of the associative recognition structure Lyt-2 in cytolysis. The apparent requirements for activation of this CTL clone differ depending on whether the target cells bear specific alloantigen or are hybridoma cells which express on their cell surface a clonotypic antibody which reacts specifically with the L3 T cell receptor for antigen. When the antigen receptor reacts with alloantigen on the allogeneic target cell, cytolysis is inhibited by anti-Lyt-2 antibody. However, when the clonotypic antibody of the target cell reacts with the antigen receptor of the T cell, cytolysis is much less inhibited by anti-Lyt-2 antibody. The antigen receptor seems to be responsible for the specificity of both these interactions but the avidity of the interaction between CTL and target cell seems to differ in the two situations. Evidence that participation of the L3T4 associative recognition structure on HTL is less important for cloned T cells which have higher affinity antigen receptors was provided by the second model system which used cloned HTL selected for optimal responses to different concentrations of nominal antigen. Proliferative responses of those clones which responded to lower antigen concentrations were less readily inhibited by anti-L3T4 mAb. Evidence provided by these two model systems is consistent with the concept that associative recognition structures are of lesser importance for T cell activation for those T cells which have higher affinity antigen receptors. In the third model system, we have identified several monoclonal antibodies which augment proliferative response of cloned T cells to sub-optimal amounts of IL-2, probably by reacting with the antigen receptor or with the associated Leu-4/T3 structure. The reactivity patterns of these antibodies indicate that several different epitopes are being recognized. Some appear to be clonotypic although they do not block functional activity of the clone with which they react. Others react with all T clones which we have tested. Several of these react with a cell surface antigen which is expressed at about the same level as the clonotypic structures: these antibodies may react with the murine equivalent of the human Leu-4/T3 molecular complex. One of the "pan-T cell" antibodies which augments IL-2-induced T cell proliferation appears to react with Thy-1; this antibody is similar to one described recently by Gunter et al. (1984).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Clonotypic antibodies which stimulate T cell clone proliferation

We have prepared a variety of antisera which recognize the T cell receptors on both alloreactive and antigen-specific functional clones. The antisera specifically stimulate the immunizing T cell clones to proliferate without cross-stimulating a variety of other clones and are thus clonotypic. The antisera specifically precipitate an 82k molecular weight complex unique to the immunizing clone and an independent common component present on all the helper T cell clones tested. The 82k molecular weight complex consists of a heterodimer, which can be resolved into an acidic (a) chain and a more basic (beta) chain. The beta subunit differs in its isoelectric focusing pattern when isolated from two A derived clones which recognize and respond to different alloantigens. Thus, the functional specificity of the antibodies is reflected in identifiable changes in molecules at the biochemical level.

T cells, the MHC, and function

The model presented relates the class of MHC molecule recognized with the activity of T lymphocytes. This occurs by postulating that the function of MHC molecules is to present determinants to differentiation directing (D) receptors on T lymphocytes. These D receptors are distributed nonclonally and interact with nonpolymorphic determinants on MHC molecules which are normally inaccessible. The result of this interaction is to allow for the expression of a functional phenotype for the T cell providing that helper signals are present. In the case of alloreactive CTL that recognize class II or Th that recognize class I molecules we postulate that these T cells require the presence of class I or class II molecules, respectively, on the target cell. Recognition of antigen in the absence of helper signals leads to tolerance of both Th.P and CTL.P. Since helper signals are required for the activation of CTL.P, a lack of specific Th, determined by class II alleles, will prevent development of a proportion of the CTL repertoire.

A synaptic basis for T-lymphocyte activation

T lymphocytes respond to foreign antigen by forming specialized junctions with antigen-presenting cells (APC) or target cells. A hypothesis is presented, illustrating the similarity between the T-cell recognition-activation process and the cell communication processes found in other organ systems, especially the nervous system. Based on data showing that a major neuronal protein, Thy-1, is also a mitogenic site on T cells, and based on predictions for the structures of the T-cell receptor (TcR) and Ia proteins, an activation model is presented as follows. 1) The T-cell receptor initiates cell-cell contact with the APC by interacting with Ia and antigen, forming an antigen-binding site. 2) Sets of adhesion molecules then bind, focusing the interacting proteins to the junctional site. One binding protein, L3/T4, binds Ia and concentrates the Ia molecules to the contact site. 3) The two-chain TcR then links together the TcR-Ia-antigen complexes, forming a linear chain of receptors which will self-associate once reaching a critical length, forming a cluster. This cluster juxtaposes associated channel subunits, the T3 membrane molecules, creating an ion channel, stimulating the T cell. 4) The MHC molecule is structurally a part of this activation complex, and therefore also forms a cluster on the APC surface, possibly activating the presenting cell. 5) Secretory products are then released into the synaptic site allowing for efficient and directed cell-cell communication. Cytolytic class-I-restricted cells use a similar pathway to focus the effect of cytolytic proteins. This analogy views neuronal communication and lymphoid recognition as evolutionary descendents of a primordial lymphocytic type of cell interaction.

The major histocompatibility complex-restricted antigen receptor on T cells: distribution on thymus and peripheral T cells

A monoclonal antibody, KJ16-133, which binds to antigen-specific, major histocompatibility complex-restricted (Ag/MHC) receptors on about 20% of BALB/c peripheral T cells has been used to examine the expression of these receptors on thymocytes and different subpopulations of peripheral T cells. Although KJ16-133-reactive receptors were found on mature thymocytes at similar frequencies and levels as on peripheral T cells, these molecules were absent from the first cells to enter the thymus, and in less mature thymocyte populations KJ16-133-reactive cells were less frequent than in the periphery and bore lower quantities of receptor. These results showed that Ag/MHC receptors are present on the surfaces of immature thymocytes, albeit at variable levels, during the time that the repertoire of these cells for Ag/MHC is thought to be selected. Additional experiments showed that KJ16-133 could not be used to distinguish T-cell receptors with different restriction specificities, i.e., for Class I or Class II products of the MHC.

The mediators of acquired resistance to Listeria monocytogenes are contained within a population of cytotoxic T cells

T cells from peritoneal exudates induced in rats convalescing from a recent infection of Listeria monocytogenes were fractionated into two subsets based on their ability to bind monoclonal antibodies to cell-surface determinants that are expressed on some but not all peripheral T cells. Two phenotypically distinct subsets, one recognized by the antibody MRC OX8 and the other by W3/25, were assayed for their protective capacity in Listeria-challenged recipients, and for their ability to kill unmodified syngeneic fibroblasts in vitro. The two activities were mediated by the OX8+ subset which comprised approximately half the T cells in the exudates.

Efficiency of antigen presentation to T cell clones by (B cell X B cell lymphoma) hybridomas correlates quantitatively with cell surface ia antigen expression

A series of B cell hybridomas was used as a model system to assess quantitatively the role of Ia molecules in antigen presentation to allo- or soluble antigen-reactive T cell clones. These hybrid cell lines were established by fusion between the HGPRT-BALB/c B cell lymphoma M12.4.1 and LPS-stimulated spleen blasts from B10.BR (H-2k) mice. Quantitative cellular absorption of appropriate anti-Ia monoclonal antibodies and flow cytofluorometric analyses revealed that the B cell hybridomas examined herein expressed constitutively a number of surface I-Ak or I-Ek molecules that varied in an order of magnitude of 1 to 5. Such quantitative differences could be correlated precisely with (a) the capacity of B cell hybridomas to activate T cell clones to proliferate and/or to produce interleukin 2 in response to E beta k allodeterminant or to poly(Glu60Ala30Tyr10) presented in the context of I-Ak restriction element, and (b) the amount of monoclonal anti-I-Ak antibody required to inhibit antigen presentation to T cell clones. The possible implications of these data are discussed in the context of current models of regulation of Ia antigen expression by antigen-presenting cells.

Stages in development of mink cell focus-inducing (MCF) virus-accelerated leukemia in AKR mice

Flow cytometric techniques involving correlated dual parameter analysis of fluorescence and light scatter and transplantation bioassays were used to describe a series of cellular changes in thymus of young (1-4 mo old) AKR mice during development of mink cell focus-inducing (MCF) virus-accelerated leukemia. Three stages of leukemogenesis were defined before appearance of frankly leukemic mice. Stage 1, apparent 28-40 d after injection of MCF 69L1 virus, represented steady-state infection of thymocytes by MCF virus without apparent change in light scatter properties of the cells or in expression of alloantigens Thy-1, Lyt-1, Lyt-2, L3T4a, B2A2, or H-2K on the major thymocyte subpopulations. Expression of MCF virus was highest in the population of small cortical thymocytes. Stage II was observed at highest frequency 50-60 d postinjection and represented the emergence of a clonal population of cells with transformed properties which could be resolved from normal thymocytes by light scatter and expression of B2A2, H-2K, and gp70 antigens. Stage III was observed at highest frequency at 70 d postinjection, when considerable enlargement of thymus had occurred, and appeared to represent the outgrowth of fully transformed cells that replaced the normal thymocyte subpopulations. The alloantigen phenotype of blast cells from frankly leukemic mice did not differ qualitatively from that of stage II or stage III cells but displayed considerable heterogeneity with respect to quantitative expression of alloantigens and gp70. At least two populations of leukemic blasts could be resolved in the majority of primary thymomas analyzed. It is unclear whether these populations represent the outgrowth of independent clones of transformed cells or if they are related in some way. Our data are consistent with MCF virus-induced transformation of cells in the lineage to small peanut agglutinin-positive, cortisone-sensitive thymocytes, a subpopulation that predominates in the thymus and which is thought to be destined for cell death in situ.

Contribution of thymus lymphocytes to the peripheral lymphoid tissues and the effect of antigen on the rate of cell exit from the thymus

Some of the important questions concerning the development of T cells in the thymus can be answered by a study of the different thymocyte subpopulations and a comparison of their properties with those of the cells exported to the peripheral lymphoid tissues. What is the relationship between cortical and medullary thymocytes? Why do most cortical cells die? Which subpopulation gives rise to thymus migrants? How many cells are exported from the thymus? Are the exported cells fully mature? Are any of these functions affected by antigen stimulation or other peripheral events? In this paper we review the background to some of these questions and focus on the effect of peripherally administered antigen on the export of cells from the thymus. Experimental data are presented which suggest that the overall rate of emigration is not grossly affected by large doses of intravenous protein antigens. Nor is there any obvious qualitative change, at least in terms of the size of the cells released. The possibility of changes in the specificity of the exported cells is discussed, but as yet there are no data which throw light on this point.

In vitro induction and expression of interleukin 2 receptor in a clonal T helper cell differentiation model

Induction and expression of interleukin 2 (IL 2) receptor have been studied using a poly( Glu60 Ala30 Tyr10 ) (GAT)-specific T cell clone of mouse origin. This clone (52-3) has been characterized and it exhibits functional properties of T helper (TH) cells: it leads to a specific anti-DNP response in the presence of DNP-GAT and DNP-primed B cells and it secretes biological activities which can induce polyclonal B cell proliferation and IgM secretion. In vitro this clone mimics the activation stages of normal T lymphocytes and can be obtained under two states of differentiation. depending on the antigen-specific signal provided by antigen-presenting cells (APC). The expression of IL 2 receptor by this clone has been studied by (i) its response to IL 2, (ii) its capacity to absorb IL 2 bioactivity, and (iii) its reactivity with monoclonal antibody 7D4 specific for mouse IL 2 receptor. All the results indicate that the unstimulated state does not express the IL 2 receptor while the activated state does. Clone 52-3 has been compared with clone 14-1.6 that derives from a TH cell line and expresses the IL 2 receptor constitutively. 52-3 offers a good experimental model for studying in vitro, in a clonal TH cell population, the detailed mechanism of IL 2 receptor induction.

Poly(Glu60,Ala30,Tyr10) (GAT)-specific T cells do not express B cell public idiotopes but can be primed by monoclonal anti-idiotypic antibodies

Eight monoclonal anti-idiotypic antibodies directed against public idiotopes have been further characterized: (a) they bind to public idiotopes with a high affinity; (b) they recognize all anti-poly(Glu60,Ala30,Tyr10) (GAT) antibodies as measured by inhibition of the anti-GAT plaque-forming cell response. This has been verified in three strains of mice. These reagents were not able to detect idiotope expression on eight GAT-specific helper T cell lines and clones. This result was obtained by two techniques: (a) idiotope expression at the T cell surface was measured by indirect immunofluorescence using a cell sorter with surface antigens H-2D, Thy-1.2, Lyt-1 and L3T4 as positive controls; (b) after immunoadsorption of [35S] methionine-labeled cellular extracts from two lines, no unique molecule was retained by the HP-idp22 monoclonal anti-idiotypic antibody coupled to Sepharose. Despite these negative results, this antibody was found to prime lymph node cells in vivo, which were able to proliferate specifically in response to GAT. Two T cell lines derived from this lymphocyte population do not express any of the idiotopes tested. These results suggest that monoclonal anti-idiotypic antibodies may be influencing T lymphocyte activity indirectly.

T cell-dependent B cell activation

T cell-dependent induction of small, resting B lymphocytes requires direct recognition of antigen and/or I-A/E molecules on the B cell surface by the inducing helper cell, and it does not require the participation of Ig receptors on the responding B cell. Triggering B cell receptors, therefore, are either the I-A/E molecules themselves, or other structures with complementarities on helper cell membranes that become available for productive interactions upon I-A/E recognition. It would appear that signal delivery by such triggering receptors can be regulated by a membrane complex of molecules, involving immunoglobulins, Class II MHC molecules and other classes of receptors, which in selective and distinct manners control the quantitative levels of expression and/or availability of the relevant structures. Classical in vivo observations and our in vitro experiments led us to conclude that induction of B cells does not occur upon binding of T cell-dependent antigens to Ig receptors and, consequently, that B lymphocyte activation by anti-receptor antibodies has no physiological counterpart. Induced B lymphocytes proliferate and mature to high rate secretion of antibodies under the influence of selective growth and maturation factors produced by helper cells which are MHC-unrelated, act polyclonally and have no influence in normal, resting cells. Specific ligand interactions with the membrane molecules participating of that functional complex may also regulate reactivity to either growth or maturation factors, and, thus, control clonal performances and the fate of activated cells.

Surface markers of cytotoxic T lymphocyte clones

Several class II major histocompatibility complex antigen-specific murine cytolytic T cell clones express Lyt-2 but not MT4 surface antigens.

Quantitative variation in la antigen expression plays a central role in immune regulation

The analysis of la antigen function has focused primarily on allelic variants of Ia molecules. In this review Charles Janeway and his colleagues discuss evidence that quantitative rather than qualitative variation in Ia antigen expression had a major role in immunoregulation and immunologically mediated disease.

The role of L3T4 in recognition of Ia by a cytotoxic, H-2Dd-specific T cell hybridoma

The expression of T4/T8 surface markers on human T cells and of L3T4/Lyt-2 on murine T cells has lead to the association of these surface markers with recognition of either class II or class I major histocompatibility complex (MHC) antigens. It has been suggested that these T cell surface antigens interact with MHC antigens. We have examined the role of L3T4 in the recognition of Dd by the T cell hybridoma, 3DT52.5. This T cell hybridoma was found to be specific for the N/Cl domain of Dd. The recognition of a class I antigen by an Lyt-2-, L3T4+ T cell hybridoma allowed the separate evaluation of interactions between L3T4/Ia and the T cell antigen receptor, Dd. Recognition by this hybridoma resulted in the production of interleukin 2 (IL-2) and cytolytic activity. Antibody blocking experiments have demonstrated that L3T4 was involved in triggering the effector function of 3DT52.5 only on Ia+ stimulator or target cells. We have demonstrated that an L3T4+, Dd-specific T cell hybridoma, 3DT52.5, uses the L3T4 molecule to directly interact with nonpolymorphic Ia determinants.

Possible involvement of the T4 molecule in T cell recognition of class II HLA antigens. Evidence from studies of CTL-target cell binding

The present study examines the potential role of the T4 molecule in functional cell-cell interactions between target cells and human cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) clones that are specific for HLA class II alloantigens encoded by the SB locus. There were marked differences (greater than 30-fold) between the seven SB-specific clones studied with respect to their susceptibility to inhibition by anti-T4 as well as anti-T3 antibodies. We wished to test the hypothesis that such variation among the clones would be due to differences in clonal "affinity" for antigen. To quantitate differences among the CTL clones in the tightness with which they bind target cells, the clones were analyzed using a previously published assay of susceptibility of CTL-target cell conjugates to dissociation in the presence of unlabeled targets. The results revealed that the clones that were most susceptible to inhibition by anti-T4 and anti-T3 were the weakest target cell binders, and vice versa. Anti-T4 antibody could partially induce dissociation of functional CTL-target cell conjugates in the absence of any added cold targets. For the "highest affinity" clone such anti-T4 antibody-induced dissociation could be observed at 4 degrees C but not 23 degrees C. These results indicate that the T4 molecule is functionally involved in target cell binding by CTL, and raise the possibility that although it is easiest to demonstrate the function of the T4 molecule in "low affinity" clones, that function may also be operative in the "high affinity" clones.

T cell-activating properties of an anti-Thy-1 monoclonal antibody. Possible analogy to OKT3/Leu-4

We have identified a single rat monoclonal antibody, G7, that is a potent inducer of interleukin (IL-2) production from all functioning T cell hybridomas as well as from normal T cells. G7 is also mitogenic for normal T cells and is a very effective inducer of IL-2 receptor expression. On fluorescence-activated cell sorter analysis, G7 recognized a pan-T cell antigen. Immunoprecipitation studies demonstrated that G7 recognized a cell surface molecule of 28-32 kD that appeared to be identical to Thy-1 in coprecipitation studies. In addition, G7 precipitated a protein of 50 kD. The possible relationship of the putative molecular complex identified by G7 on murine cells to the molecular complex identified on human T cells with anti-T3 reagents is discussed. In addition, G7 should prove to be a very useful reagent for studying the early events of lymphocyte activation as well as an inducer of lymphokine-rich supernatants.

Monoclonal anti-Lyt-2.2 antibody blocks lectin-dependent cellular cytotoxicity of H-2-negative target cells

The hypothesis that blocking of cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL)-mediated cytolysis with anti-Lyt-2 antibodies acts at the level of inhibiting the interaction of the Lyt-2-bearing structure with H-2 class I molecules was tested. In agreement with the findings of others, purified anti-Lyt-2.2 inhibited both antigen-specific lysis and lectin-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (LDCC). LDCC of H-2-positive and H-2-negative target cells was similarly inhibited by this antibody. As expected, this effect was specific for CTL expressing the Lyt-2.2 allele, in contrast to blocking with a rat monoclonal antibody to the murine LFA-1 antigen. The implications of this finding for the function of the Lyt-2 antigen in CTL-target cell interaction are discussed.

Dissection of the Poly(Glu60Ala30Tyr10) (GAT)-specific T-cell repertoire in H-2Ik mice. II. The use of monoclonal antibodies to study the recognition of Ia antigens by GAT-reactive T-cell clones

Twenty-five allospecific monoclonal antibodies (mAb), produced in the A. TH. A.BY, or B10.S (7R) anti-A.TL combinations, were shown to recognize determinants organized in four spatially distinct polymorphic regions on the same I-Ak-encoded molecule(s). These reagents were used to assess the recognition of the class II major histocompatibility complex (MHC) determinants in a series of GAT-reactive A.TL T-cell clones exhibiting various restriction specificity or alloreactivity patterns. Of the proliferative responses of 13 cloned T cells, 12 responses were found to be inhibited similarly by the same set of mAbs.A hierarchy in the blocking effects of these reagents that could be correlated with the spatial organization of their determinants was observed. (i) All the mAbs defining the epitope region I (i.e., recognizing public Ia.1- or Ia.17-like determinants, presumably expressed on the A beta subunit) and some of those identifying new public determinants in the epitope region II profoundly inhibited these T-cell responses. (ii) Intermediate blocking was observed when mAbs recognizing public determinants in the epitope region III were used. (iii) Finally, among the mAbs that identified the epitope group IV, the Ia.19-specific mAb 39.J was inhibitory, whereas mAbs directed against private Ia.2-like determinants were not. By contrast, the GAT-specific proliferative response of the T-cell clone AT-20.1, which recognized its nominal antigen in an extensively cross-reactive MHC-restricted fashion, could only be inhibited by a subset of the mAbs recognizing epitopes in groups I and II, but not by those recognizing epitopes in groups III and IV. It was also shown that the same subset of I-Ak-and I-Au-reactive mAbs displayed similar blocking effects on the proliferation of two T-cell clones exhibiting dual specificity for I-Ak- and I-Au-restricting and/or I-Ak- and I-Au-alloactivating determinants. Finally, all the cloned T-cell responses examined were found to be inhibited by rat mAbs against the LFA.1 molecule or the murine equivalent of the human OKT4 differentiation antigen. These studies suggest that class II specific mAbs can impair proliferation of cloned T-cells by a mechanism(s) other than the masking of the T-cells' restriction determinants per se.