H-2K-restricted granuloma formation by Ly-2+ T cells in antibacterial protection to facultative intracellular bacteria.

Cellular, genetic, and antigenic requirements for granuloma formation in murine listeriosis were determined by using adoptive transfer of granuloma formation. Granuloma formation was restricted by a class I MHC antigen (H-2K) and critically depended on a Ly-2+ (Ly-1+2+) T cell. Expression of granuloma formation required living bacteria; heat-killed bacteria was not sufficient. H-2K-restricted transfer of granuloma formation was associated with a high degree of protection. Markedly less protection, presumably due to macrophage activation by T cells, was found under conditions of H-2 I-A homology. It is concluded that two T cell populations are involved in protection against L. monocytogenes: protection associated with granuloma formation depends on Ly-2+ (Ly-1+2+) T cells, is restricted by H-2K, and requires products of living bacteria to be expressed, whereas protection based on macrophage activation depends on H-2 I-A-restricted T helper cells.