LYMPHOBLASTOID CELL-LINES ARE POLYCLONAL ACTIVATORS OF HUMAN LYMPHOCYTE-T

Following stimulation with autologous or allogeneic lymphoblastoid cell lines (LCL) human T lymphocytes acquire two properties which suggest that LCL act as polyclonal activators. Cytotoxic activity, which has an antigen‐specific component, is produced towards normal lymphocytes and LCL, and the cells become capable of mounting proliferative responses to antigens on human B lymphocytes which have accelerated secondary‐type kinetics. Only weak responses to autologous cells occur. In addition, repeated restimulation with the original LCL leads to a progressive increase in the number of cells in the culture for a period of about 4 weeks. This approach may prove a useful way to grow large numbers of human T lymphocytes for further study. Copyright © 1979, Wiley Blackwell. All rights reserved