Cloned T cells recognize Trichinella spiralis antigen in association with an E^k_βE^k_α restriction element

A method is described for the production of T-cell lines and clones specific for solubilized Trichinella spiralis antigens. hese 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 E^kβ-chain and the E^k α-chain of the I-E molecule. Inhibition is obtained with an E^k_β-specific monoclonal antibody (H9-14.8) but not with an A^k_β-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 B 10.K (E^k_βE^k_α spleen cells and not B 10.A(5R) (E^b_βE^k_α) or B10.S(9R) (E^s_βE^k_α) spleen cells could effectively present T. spiralis antigens. The role of "hybrid" Ia molecules in the immune response to T. spiralis is discussed.