Establishment of T-cell hybridoma constitutively producing macrophage-dependent T-cell replacing factor

A T-cell hybridoma was established by the fusion of concanavalin A-stimulated splenic T cells with BW 5147. The hybridoma cells secrete a factor constitutively to support antibody formation of spleen cells depleted of T cells against TNP-Ficoll but not against horse red blood cells. The activity was indicated not to be due to interleukin 2, B-cell growth factor I, B-cell growth factor II, or interferon. The factor-mediated antibody response to TNP-Ficoll required the presence of adherent cells. The adherent cell function could be replaced by the macrophage culture supernatant containing interleukin 1. B cells responding to TNP-Ficoll in the culture with hybridoma factor were indicated to be Lyb 5+ and to bear receptors for third component of complement.