Response of a Murine Vβ18-Alloreactive CTL Clone to Bacterial Superantigens

We have isolated, by limiting dilution, a murine anti-H-2Kb T cell line derived from AKR/J mouse spleen cells following stimulation with H-2Kb+ cells. This clone, designated 2AH10, has the phenotype H-2Kk+, CD8+, LFA-1+, ICAM-1+, and 1L-2R+ and, as determined by DNA-sequencing reactions, expresses the Vβ18 T cell receptor gene segment. Clone 2AH10 specifically lysed H-2Kb+ target cells and on stimulation with H-2Kb+ cells proliferated to secrete IFN-γ, LT, and GM-CSF. Clone 2AH10 was responsive to the bacterial superantigens SEC1 and TSST-1 when stimulated in the context of murine MHC class II+ cells. In addition to SEC1 and TSST-1, when human MHC class II+ cells were employed, clone 2AH10 responded to a wider range of bacterial superantigens including SEB, SED, and SEE.