Patterns of lymphokine production by Semliki Forest virus-specific T-cell hybridomas stimulated with different antigen-presenting cells.

The development of infection seems to be influenced by the characteristics of antigen-presenting cells (APC) in the infection site. Thus, we compared the Semliki Forest virus (SFV)-antigen-presenting capacity of spleen cells, B-cell lymphomas, bone marrow-derived mast cells and nonparenchymal liver cells by measuring the production of lymphokines in SFV-specific T-cell hybridomas. Spleen cells were able to provide the signals needed to stimulate the production of IL-2, IL-4, IL-6 and IFN-gamma, while B lymphomas the signals leading to only IL-2 production. When bone marrow-derived mast cells were used as APC, SFV-specific T-cell hybridomas produced IL-2, IL-4 and IL-6 in the presence of soluble anti-CD3 antibody. However, no lymphokine production was detected when the SFV antigen was used instead of the antibody. Nonparenchymal liver cells containing liver endothelial cells and Kupffer cells have an APC function stimulating the production of IL-2 and IL-6. These findings confirmed that the T-cell hybridomas can be selectively stimulated by different APC to produce different lymphokines, and it would influence the development of the immune-mediated inflammatory response.