Cellular and molecular characteristics of transformed T cells from an antigen-specific T-cell line.

An antigen-specific T-cell line which transforms into T-lymphoma cells in vitro but apparently not in vivo is described. Membrane markers, tumorigenicity and T-cell receptor (TcR) V alpha and V beta-gene usage of the in vitro transformed T-cell line were analysed to investigate whether the transformation event was poly-, oligo-, or monoclonal. The results indicate that the T lymphoma has no chromosome abnormalities, contains no tumour-inducing virus, can induce clone-specific immunity, and is oligoclonal with respect to TcR V alpha and V beta expression. The nature of the transformation event and clinical application of vaccination against T lymphomas is discussed. In addition, the expressed TcR V alpha and V beta repertoire of Con A T blasts was apparently not affected by the Igh-l or the MHC haplotype, as investigated in Igh-l and MHC congeneic C57Bl mice.