Cloned T cells recognize Trichinella spiralis antigen in association with an Ek beta Ek alpha restriction element

A method is described for the production of T-cell lines and clones specific for solubilized Trichinella spiralis antigens. These T cells are antigen-specific and do not respond to challenge with a third party antigen (lysozyme). The proliferation responses of the cloned T cells are specifically inhibited by anti-I-E but not by anti-I-A subregion monoclonal reagents. The inhibition patterns obtained are consistent with cis-gene complementation in B10.K cells involving the Ek beta-chain and the Ek alpha-chain of the I-E molecule. Inhibition is obtained with an Ek beta-specific monoclonal antibody (H9-14.8) but not with an Ak beta-specific monoclonal antibody (10-2.16). Inhibition was also observed with Ia.7-specific (H40-242) or Ia.22-specific (17-3-3) monoclonal antibodies. The inhibition patterns were confirmed by antigen presentation experiments using recombinant inbred mice. Only B10.K (Ek beta Ek alpha) spleen cells and not B10.A(5R) (Eb beta Ek alpha) or B10.S(9R) (Es beta Ek alpha) spleen cells could effectively present T. spiralis antigens. The role of "hybrid" Ia molecules in the immune response to T. spiralis is discussed.