A cloned cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) line recognizing a subtype of HLA B27

The lymphoblastoid cell-line JY (HLA-A2,2;B7,7;C-; DR4,w6) was used to stimulate T cells from donor HG (HLA-A2,w23; B40,w44; Cw4; DRw6,7). Cloned CTL line were obtained by limiting dilution after tertiary stimulation. Strong cytotoxic activity on stimulator cells was found with all CTL clones obtained. One of the clones (HG-31 recognized a subtype of the HLA-B7 antigen. In this paper, we describe another long-term cloned CTL line (HG-61). This line, when tested on a panel of 107 target cells from unrelated individuals, recognized a subtype of HLA-B27 (B27 "K"). There was no significant association with any other HLA antigen. The cloned CTLs were T8+ and their cytotoxic activity could be blocked by the monoclonal antibody W6/32 which recognizes a framework determinant on HLA-A, -B, and -C molecules. In families, reactivity with cells of the CTL line (HG-61) segregated with HLA. It is concluded that the CTL line interacts with an antigenic determinant shared between the HLA-B7 antigen and JY and the subtype of HLA-B27 (B27 "K"), or detects products of a gene closely linked to HLA-B, not revealed by present-day serology.