Index of authors

Abstract

Determination of cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) responses in humans by traditional assays have been restricted by the volumes of blood needed and the nature of the target cells used for the assays. A number of technological advances have recently been described which improve quantitation and sensitivity of the assays. We are developing the concept of using fibroblasts as permissive targets for respiratory viruses in CTL assays. Methods: Fibroblasts can be grown from dispersed nasal epithelium obtained from adenoids. These cells infected with influenza are used as a stimulator layer for lymphocytes. They also can form the target for CTLs in a chromium release assay. Results: Comparison showed fibroblasts to be comparable to influenza infected lymphocytes as stimulators and to EBV transformed lymphocytes as targets. Cells from 25 adenoids have been explored in the fibroblast CTL system with about half of the cryoperserved peripheral blood lymphocytes showing CTL activity and mucosally associated CTLs being found in one patient. Conclusions: Exploration of new CTL targets that may be adapted not only to chromium release assays but to newer CTL assays offers the promise of developing a practical way of defining the CTL response in young children to natural infection and to varying immunization strategies. This may allow us to put in perspective CTLs as a correlate of immunity to influenza in humans.