Fine specificity of HLA-B27 cellular allorecognition. HLA-B27f is a functional variant distinguishable by cytolytic T cell clones

Three HLA-B27 allospecific cytolytic T lymphocyte (CTL) clones were isolated by limiting dilution of HLA-B27-negative responder cells stimulated with HLA-B27.1-positive lymphoblastoid cells. These clones displayed three distinct reaction patterns when tested for their lytic ability against target cells expressing various structurally defined HLA-B27 subtypes. One of the clones was specific for HLA-B27.1; a second CTL clone reacted only with B27.1 and, less efficiently, with B27.2; the third clone recognized both B27.1 and B27f targets but not cells expressing any other B27 subtype. These results indicate that HLA-B27f is a functional variant amenable to differential recognition by alloreactive CTL. A correlation of the structure of the HLA-B27 subtypes with the reactivity of these clones revealed that multiple B27-specific alloreactive CTL are activated against epitopes of the HLA-B27.1 molecule sharing common structural features. This illustrates the complexity and fine specificity of the allogeneic CTL response against class I HLA antigens and suggests that their immunodominant regions are those which are capable of eliciting a diverse polyclonal response against each of these regions, rather than inducing the selective expansion of a single T cell clone.     

IL 2 receptor induction on human T lymphocytes: role for IL 2 and monocytes

In this report we studied the requirements for the activation and proliferation of highly purified human T lymphocytes. Purified T cells incubated for 3 days with PHA neither proliferate nor express IL 2 receptors as detected by FACS analysis with the use of anti-Tac antibodies. However, purified T cells incubated with Con A or anti-T3 moAb do not proliferate, albeit 30 to 35% T cells express Tac epitopes. The addition of IL 2, either natural purified or recombinant, resulted in both the appearance of Tac antigen and the proliferation of PHA-activated T cells. Much to our surprise, IL 2 did not induce proliferation of Tac-positive T cells activated by Con A or soluble anti-T3 unless monocytes were added to the cultures. These data suggested that two classes of IL 2 receptors might exist on T cells, one of which was not functionally involved in T cell proliferation. In keeping with this interpretation, we have been able to demonstrate, using a radiolabeled IL 2 binding assay, that anti-T3 moAb induced almost exclusively IL 2 receptors of low affinity (Kd = 30 to 70 X 10(-9) M) and that additional signals, provided by monocytes, are required for the acquisition of high affinity receptors. IL 2 itself can induce high affinity receptors on PHA-stimulated T cells but not on cells activated by Con A or anti-T3. In this latter case the physical presence of monocytes is required and cannot be substituted by IL 1, thus indicating a previously unreported role for monocytes. It is postulated that the contact of monocytes with T cells induces a switch from an inactive low affinity conformation of the IL 2 receptor to a functional high affinity one.     

Delineation of three subsets of class I human T antigens (HTA) on Molt-4 cells: serologic and regulatory relationship to HLA class I antigens

Three subsets of class I human T antigens (HTA) were serologically identified on the surface of the Molt-4 T lymphoma cell line. The HTA 1 subset is defined by NAI/34, D47, or 10H3.9 cross-reactive m.Ab. and by BL6 m.Ab. The HTA 2 and HTA 3 subsets are defined by M241 and 4A7.6 m.Ab., respectively. We obtained no evidence of any additional HTA subset. The different HTA antigens share only few epitopes with human leukocyte antigens (HLA-A, -B, and -C). Interestingly, these epitopes all belong to the same cluster defined on HLA class I molecules, but differ from one HTA subset to another. These results would therefore suggest that HTA and HLA class I antigens display a limited structural homology, but have a conserved epitopic area whose detailed structure differs for each HTA subset. Furthermore, the cell surface expression of each HTA class I molecule type is differently enhanced by natural interferon (IFN)-alpha or -gamma. This result additionally supports the serologic delineation of HTA subsets, and suggests that the corresponding genes in Molt-4 cells, are subjected to distinct regulations.     

Generation and functional characterization of T cell lines and clones specific for Schistosoma japonicum egg antigen in humans

T cell lines specific for Schistosoma japonicum egg Ag were established in vitro from patients with chronic schistosomiasis japonica, and investigated their possible immunopathologic roles by testing lymphokines production and in vitro granuloma formation assay. All lines tested had surface phenotypes of CD3+ CD4+ CD8-, and showed S. japonicum soluble egg Ag (SEA)-specific proliferation requiring HLA-DR-restricted Ag presentation. Of these fractions of SEA separated by gel filtration, Fraction II (m.w. 7,000 to 18,000) and III (m.w. 7,000) induced strong proliferation of T cell lines, whereas fraction I (m.w. 18,000+) failed to induce detectable proliferation to any T cell lines tested. One of the T cell lines was cloned by micromanipulation: two of eight clones responded only to fraction II, and six to both fractions II and III. We observed that four of eight clones tested produced IL-2 in response to SEA, and three of them were able to transfer S. japonicum egg-specific granulomatous hypersensitivity in vitro to an HLA haplo-identical individual without previous schistosome infection. These immunopathologic functions of T cell clones seemed to be activated by at least two distinct epitopes of SEA. Our present observations suggest that at least two distinct CD4+ human T cells, both of which recognize epitopes expressed on SEA molecules of less than 18 kDa, might have critical roles in granulomatous hypersensitivity to eggs of S. japonicum in humans.     

Antigen-specific human T lymphocyte clones: mechanisms of inhibition of proliferative responses by xenoantiserum to human nonpolymorphic HLA-DR antigens

We studied the effects of xenoantiserum to human nonpolymorphic Ia-like antigens upon in vitro antigen-specific T cell proliferative responses in unfractionated PBL populations and at the monoclonal level. Our findings suggest that the xenoantiserum, although it inhibits the antigen-specific response of unfractionated PBL and allospecific T cell clones, does not inhibit the proliferative response to cloned influenza virus immune human T lymphocytes, and therefore may be mediating inhibition by dual mechanisms: direct inhibition of alloantigen recognition and induction of nonspecific suppression. Kinetic differences may explain these phenomena. In cocultivation experiments with a virus-specific clone, the RaIa antiserum appears to induce an OKT3+,8+,4-, radiosensitive regulatory subset of lymphocytes. When adoptively transferred, these induced cells inhibit the TLC response in an antigen-nonspecific and genetically nonrestricted manner. We discuss the various modes and levels of inhibition of antigen-specific proliferation by anti-Ia antisera and their multiple activities.     

A pluripotent human stem-cell clone isolated from the TERA-2 teratocarcinoma line lacks antigens SSEA-3 and SSEA-4 in vitro, but expresses these antigens when grown as a xenograft tumor

Human embryonal carcinoma (EC) cells generally express the cell-surface, stage-specific embryonic antigens 3 and 4 (SSEA-3 and SSEA-4), the epitopes of which are defined by two monoclonal antibodies that recognize different portions of an extended globoseries oligosaccharide. To examine further the relationship between these epitopes and the human EC phenotype, we investigated the properties of two newly isolated clones from the human teratocarcinoma cell line, TERA-2. One clone expresses SSEA-3 and SSEA-4; the other does not. Nevertheless, these clones otherwise resemble one another, and based upon their morphology, their expression of other cell-surface antigens, and their ability to form xenograft tumors containing a variety of cell types, we conclude that both clones are composed of pluripotent human EC cells. When exposed to retinoic acid in vitro, neither clone differentiates as extensively as other clones that we have previously derived from TERA-2. These observations indicate heterogeneity among stem cells derived from a single human teratocarcinoma, and suggest that SSEA-3 and SSEA-4 are not necessarily integral features of the human EC phenotype. On the other hand, EC cells in xenograft tumors derived from the SSEA-3- and SSEA-4-negative clone re-express these epitopes. Further, this re-expression is stable, since EC cell lines that are SSEA-3- and SSEA-4-positive grow out when the tumors are explanted in vitro. We conclude that the expression of these globoseries epitopes can be modulated by environmental influences.     

Composite response of naive T cells to stimulation with the autologous lymphoblastoid cell line is mediated by CD4 cytotoxic T cell clones and includes an Epstein-Barr virus-specific component.

We have approached the challenge of generating a primary T cell response to Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) in vitro by stimulating naive T cells with the autologous EBV-transformed lymphoblastoid cell line (LCL), a rich source of EBV-associated cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) epitopes. Responsive T cells from three EBV-seronegative donors were cloned in agarose, phenotyped for T cell markers by flow cytometry, and their cytotoxic properties analyzed in the 51Cr release assay. Most clones (greater than 95%) expressed the CD4 phenotype and 59% of these clones showed cytotoxic properties. The dominant CTL response was specific for FCS-associated epitopes presented by FCS-grown autologous LCL target cells and was restricted by class II HLA antigens. Other clonal components included: (i) an EBV-specific response by HLA-restricted CD4 CTL clones that did not discriminate between A- and B-type EBV transformants; (ii) an EBV-specific response by an HLA-restricted CD4 CTL clone that discriminated between A- and B-type transformants, and (iii) a nonspecific cytotoxic response by CD3+,4+,8-, CD3+,4-,8-, and CD3-,4-,8- clones that were broadly allotypic or restricted to the lysis of K562 target cells. The EBV-specific CTL clones did not lyse the autologous EBV-negative B or T cell blasts and their specificity patterns of lysis were supported by the cold target competition data. These studies highlight the role of CD4 CTL in the establishment in vitro of a primary immune response to a human virus.     

Monoclonal antibodies to interferon-gamma inhibit interleukin 2-dependent induction of growth and maturation in lectin/antigen-reactive cytolytic T lymphocyte precursors

In this study we tested the effect of monoclonal antibodies (moAb) AN-18 to murine IFN-gamma on the generation of cytolytic T cells (CTL) from a homogeneous population of precursor cells (CTL-P). As responder cells, highly purified Lyt-2+ C57BL/6 lymph node T cells were used that had been positively selected by flow cytofluorometry on a cell sorter. Lyt-2+ cells were set up in bulk culture or in limiting dilution (LD) either with Con A or with P815 tumor cells as antigen and recombinant human interleukin 2 (rec.hIL 2) in the presence or absence of moAb AN-18 and tested for growth and development of CTL. The results show that moAb AN-18 but not the unrelated moAb AN-37 diminished or abrogated proliferative and cytolytic responses of Lyt-2+ lymphocytes to lectin and rec.hIL 2 in a dose-dependent manner. The inhibitory activity of the antibodies could be abolished by neutralizing moAb AN-18 with recombinant murine IFN-gamma (rec.mIFN-gamma) before their addition to culture. Kinetic analysis shows that the inhibitory effect of moAb AN-18 is only optimal when added at the beginning of culture or up to 48 hr after initiation. The frequencies of CTL-P responding either to Con A or to P815 tumor cells and rec.hIL 2 were reduced up to 10-fold in the presence of moAb AN-18. The inhibitory capacity of moAb AN-18 was also operative in cultures containing on the average one antigen-specific CTL-P. Together with the finding that activated CTL-P secrete IFN-gamma in response to rec.hIL 2 in a dose-dependent manner, the data suggest that endogenous IFN-gamma collaborates with exogenous IL 2 in the induction of CTL-P. The generation of CTL may therefore represent a case of autocrine growth regulation of normal lymphocytes, in which the same cell synthesizes and responds to its own factor.     

Possible involvement of the T4 molecule in T cell recognition of class II HLA antigens: evidence from studies of proliferative responses to SB antigens

The T4 molecule has been identified as a marker of human T cell differentiation, but the function of this molecule remains to be defined. We have investigated its possible functional involvement in T cell proliferative responses to class II HLA antigens encoded by the recently described SB locus. The responses of SB-primed cells (specific for each of four different SB antigens) were studied with the use of two proliferation-inducing stimuli, SB antigen or TCGF. The proliferative responses to both stimuli were found to be mediated by T4+, T8- cells. Monoclonal antibodies against some epitopes on the T4 molecule (OKT4A and OKT4B) substantially blocked antigen-stimulated proliferative responses; antibodies against other epitopes of the T4 molecule (OKT4, T4C, T4D) blocked less well. Inhibition of SB-specific proliferation by antibodies to the T4 molecule was maximal only when the antibodies were incubated with the responder cells before the addition of stimulator cells. Proliferative responses of SB-primed cells stimulated with TCGF alone were not inhibited by any of the OKT4-related antibodies, but were completely inhibited by the anti-Tac monoclonal antibody, which reacts with the TCGF receptor. These results lend further support for the hypothesis that the T4 molecule is involved in T cell recognition of and/or activation by class II HLA antigens. We suggest that 1) the T4 molecule binds a nonpolymorphic epitope on class II HLA molecules, and 2) this interaction may facilitate, but not be an obligate requirement for, T cell activation by class II antigens.     

Lack of a role of monocytes in the inhibition by monoclonal antibodies to monomorphic and polymorphic determinants of HLA class I antigens of PHA-P-induced peripheral blood mononuclear cell proliferation

This study aimed at characterizing the mechanism(s) underlying the regulatory role of distinct determinants of HLA Class I antigens in PHA-P-induced T cell proliferation and the involvement of monocytes in this phenomenon. The anti-HLA-A2,A28 monoclonal antibodies (MoAb) CR11-351, the MoAb Q6/64 to a determinant restricted to the gene products of the I antigens HLA-B locus, and the MoAb CR10-215 and W6/32 to distinct monomorphic determinants of HLA Class I antigens were found to inhibit PHA-P-induced peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) proliferation in a dose-dependent fashion. The inhibition is specific and reflects neither inhibition of PHA-P binding to cells nor a toxic effect of the anti-HLA Class I MoAb. The latter differed in the concentration required to induce inhibition, in the influence of the concentration of PHA-P used as mitogen, in the differential effect on the donors used as a source of PBMC, and/or in the requirement of the Fc portion to induce inhibition. At variance with the information in the literature, the inhibitory effect of anti-HLA Class I MoAb on PHA-P-induced PBMC proliferation neither reflected their interaction with accessory cells nor was mediated by suppressor factors released by monocytes stimulated with PHA-P in the presence of anti-HLA Class I MoAb. Therefore, the regulatory role of HLA Class I antigens in T cell proliferation is not likely to be mediated by monocytes and/or factors released from them, but may reflect an involvement of these molecules in T cell activation pathways.     

Processing of tetanus toxin by human antigen-presenting cells. Evidence for donor and epitope-specific processing pathways

Human T cell clones specific for epitopes 830-843 and 947-967 of tetanus toxin can be differentially activated in vitro when APC (PBL or LCL) from different donors are pulsed with tetanus toxin. Although PBL tested do not seem to exhibit substantial differences in the number of precursor T cells specific for these epitopes, APC from the same donors activate clone KT-2 specific for peptide 830-843 but not clone KT-30 specific for peptide 947-967. These APC express the proper restriction element because they can present the corresponding synthetic peptides. The failure to present a particular epitope might, however, be explained by the absence or presence of a protease(s) required for Ag presentation that may vary for different epitopes. Indeed, the protease inhibitor leupeptin was found to inhibit activation of KT-2 but not KT-30 T cell clone by the KK.35 B cell line normally capable of presenting either epitope. In summary, these data suggest that tetanus toxin processing and epitope formation by APC is distinct in different donors and for different epitopes.     

Recognition of HLA-A2 mutant and variant target cells by an HLA-A2 allospecific human cytotoxic T lymphocyte line

HLA-A2 specific human cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) cell lines have been developed using T cell growth factor and coculture of peripheral blood lymphocytes with selected allogeneic target cell lines. The CTL-8 line showed specificity for human leukocyte antigens (HLA)-A2 bearing target cells after 5 weeks in culture when tested against a panel of 14 lymphoblastoid cell lines in a 51Chromium (51Cr) release assay. Purified anti-human leukocyte antigens (HLA) monoclonal antibodies W6/32 and PA2.1 inhibited cytolysis by 85% and 60%, respectively. The CTL-8 line lysed non-HLA-A2 target cells in the presence of lectins concanavalin A (Con A) or phytohemagglutinin-P lectin (PHA-P) indicating the specificity of cytolysis was not due to nonspecific resistance of target cells to the CTL-lytic mechanism. The T5-1 HLA-A2 mutant cell series were tested as targets for the CTL-8 line. Cell clones 8.18.1, 8.21.1 and 8.6.1, which express altered HLA-A2 molecules as determined by their decreased reactivity with allospecific monoclonal antibodies, were lysed by the CTL-8 line as efficiently as the T5-1 wild type. These cell lines also acted as efficient cold target competitors for a normal HLA-A2 target cell. The 8.14.1 cell clone expressed a lower amount of HLA-A2 alloantigen and showed a corresponding decreased reactivity with CTL-8 in direct cytolytic and cold target competitive inhibition assays. In contrast, the M7 and DK1 HLA-A2 variant cell lines, which express normal HLA-A2 serological determinants, were inefficiently lysed by CTL-8 and did not act as competitive inhibitors of normal HLA-A2 target cells. These results support the concept that the alloantigenic determinant(s) recognized by T cells and antibodies occur at separate regions on the HLA-A2 molecule.     

Recognition of viral antigens by human influenza A virus-specific T lymphocyte clones

The nature of the viral antigens recognized by influenza A virus-immune cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) is still a matter of debate. We have used four human influenza A virus-specific T lymphocyte clones with antigen-specific cytotoxic and proliferative activity to investigate the requirements for recognition of viral antigens on infected cells. One clone recognized a cross-reactive determinant on the viral hemagglutinin, and two clones were specific for different epitopes on the viral nucleoprotein (NP). A fourth clone seemed to be specific for the viral M protein. Target cell recognition was abrogated by the addition, during infection, of the lysosomotropic drug chloroquine, known to inhibit antigen processing. Furthermore, target cells that had been pulsed with soluble purified NP were recognized and were lysed by the NP-specific clone. This reaction could also be abrogated by the addition of chloroquine during pulsing. These results were obtained irrespective of whether EBV-transformed B lymphoblastoid cells or Ia antigen-expressing T cell blasts were used as target cells. It is concluded that CTL can recognize internal viral proteins that are actively presented at the surface of the target cell. These data indicate that probably every viral protein can function as a target molecule for virus-immune CTL.     

One I region restriction determinant can associate with multiple antigenic epitopes

Studies presented in this paper show that T cell clones recognizing different epitopes of multideterminant antigens can be restricted by the same I-A molecule. These data further support the concept that a single I-A restriction site can present more than one antigenic epitope. This concept was supported by data on the proliferation of T cell clones reactive with either poly(L-Glu60, L-Ala30, L-Tyr10)n(GAT) or poly(Tyr, Glu)-poly D,L-Ala--poly Lys [(T,G)-A--L] which recognized different epitopes on these multideterminant antigens. Two clones recognizing different epitopes on the same multideterminant antigen can be blocked by the same monoclonal anti-I-A antibody. Additionally, the mutation in the Abm12 chain utilized in [B6.C-H-2bm12(bm12) X B10.A(4R)]F1 mice can affect the restriction determinant of clones recognizing different antigenic epitopes. These results suggest that in the strictest sense, the determinant selection theory is not tenable and would support the concept that T cell specificity is controlled by the T cell repertoire.     

A reductionist cell-free major histocompatibility complex class II antigen processing system identifies immunodominant epitopes

Immunodominance is defined as restricted responsiveness of T cells to a few selected epitopes from complex antigens. Strategies currently used for elucidating CD4(+) T cell epitopes are inadequate. To understand the mechanism of epitope selection for helper T cells, we established a cell-free antigen processing system composed of defined proteins: human leukocyte antigen-DR1 (HLA-DR1), HLA-DM and cathepsins. Our reductionist system successfully identified the physiologically selected immunodominant epitopes of two model antigens: hemagglutinin-1 (HA1) from influenza virus (A/Texas/1/77) and type II collagen (CII). When applied for identification of new epitopes from a recombinant liver-stage antigen of malaria falciparum (LSA-NRC) or HA1 from H5N1 influenza virus ('avian flu'), the system selected single epitopes from each protein that were confirmed to be immunodominant by their capacity to activate CD4(+) T cells from H5N1-immunized HLA-DR1-transgenic mice and LSA-NRC-vaccinated HLA-DR1-positive human volunteers. Thus, we provide a new tool for the identification of physiologically relevant helper T cell epitopes from antigens.     

Regulation of T cell clone function via CD4 and CD8 molecules. Anti-CD4 can mediate two distinct inhibitory activities

The functional effects resulting from CD4 and CD8 perturbation were analyzed by using a CD4+CD8+ clone and anti-CD4 and anti-CD8 monoclonal antibodies. Perturbation of CD8, but not CD4, by soluble antibody resulted in the inhibition of CD3-T cell receptor (CD3-Ti) triggering as determined by flow cytometric measurements of intracellular free Ca2+ concentrations. In addition, the CD3-T cell receptor-mediated cytotoxic function of the CD4+CD8+ clone was inhibited by anti-CD8, but not by anti-CD4. These results suggest that CD8, but not CD4, was functionally associated with CD3-Ti on the CD4+CD8+ clone. Although CD4 perturbation did not affect CD3-Ti-mediated activities, it resulted in the inhibition of the interleukin 2-dependent proliferation of this clone. Perturbation of CD8 did not affect the interleukin 2 dependent proliferation of the CD4+CD8+ clone. On the other hand, CD4 molecules of another CD4+CD8- clone unlike those of the CD4+CD8+ clone, were clearly linked to T cell receptor function. These results indicate that CD4 perturbation can result in two distinct regulatory activities; one involves the regulation of CD3-T cell receptor function, whereas the other is not directly associated with CD3-T cell antigen receptor function. The data are also consistent with the notion that CD4 and CD8 do not merely function as recognition and adhesion elements for accessory cell major histocompatibility complex molecules, but have a direct role in the regulation of T cell activation.     

Lysis of cells infected with typhus group rickettsiae by a human cytotoxic T cell clone

Cytolytic human T cell clones generated in response to the intracellular bacterium Rickettsia typhi were characterized. Growing clones were tested for their ability to proliferate specifically in response to antigens derived from typhus group rickettsiae or to lyse targets infected with R. typhi or Rickettsia prowazekii. Two clones were able to lyse targets infected with typhus group rickettsiae. One of these clones was more fully characterized because of its rapid growth characteristics. This cytolytic clone was capable of lysing an autologous infected target as well as a target matched for class I and II histocompatibility leukocyte antigens (HLA). It was not capable, however, of lysing either a target mismatched for both class I and II HLA or a target partially matched for class I HLA. In addition, the clone exhibited specificity in that it was able to lyse an autologous target infected with typhus group rickettsiae, but did not lyse an autologous target infected with an antigenically distinct rickettsial species, Rickettsia tsutsugamushi. These results demonstrate, for the first time, that cells infected with intracellular bacteria can be lysed by human cytotoxic T lymphocytes.     

Restriction by the major histocompatibility complex of antigen-induced T lymphocyte proliferation in new inbred guinea pig strains.

Employing new inbred guinea pig strains, JY 1, JY 2 and JY 3, established in this Institute in addition to strains 2 and 13, the authors investigated histocompatibility restriction in macrophage-T lymphocyte interaction. These five strains are known to possess distinct major histocompatibility complex (MHC) gene profiles (1, 2). This fact was supported by our results concerning the mixed leukocyte reaction (MLR) and cytotoxicity test with alloantisera. Using various combinations of T lymphocytes and peritoneal exudated cells (PECs) from these strains, in vitro proliferative responses of T lymphocytes from BCC-immune animals to PPD-pulsed normal PEC were tested. Successful activation of T cell response was observed not only in syngeneic combinations but also in allogeneic combinations among strains JY 1, JY 3 and strain 13 which share common Ia antigens detected by strain 2 anti-strain 13 alloantiserum. Because JY 1 and JY 3 seem to share a common B antigen differing from strain 13, it was suggested that identification in the I region of MHC is sufficient for effective antigen-presentation by the macrophage. Although a part of Ia is shared, no T lymphocyte activation was observed in the combination between JY 2 and JY 1 or JY 3, whereas strong MLR occurred in these allogeneic combinations. At the present stage of the study, it can be said that disparity in the part(s) of Ia antigens which is responsible for strong MLR cannot lead to effective T cell-macrophage interaction. These results support the concept that functional activation of primed, proliferating T lymphocyte requires the participation of gene products of macrophages coded for by the I region in MHC. By employing JY 1, JY 2 and strain 2, which appear to possess distinct B and Ia antigens, it was shown that the T lymphocyte and macrophage interactions essential for mitogen-induced T lymphocyte proliferation are not restricted by histocompatibility.     

Human recognition of T cell epitopes on the Plasmodium vivax circumsporozoite protein.

In order to identify T cell epitopes recognized by human in the Plasmodium vivax circumsporozoite protein, 28 overlapping synthetic peptides spanning the entire circumsporozoite protein were tested for their ability to stimulate proliferation of PBMC from 22 adults living in a malaria-endemic area of the Colombian Pacific Coast and from four individuals who never had a history of malaria infection. In addition, BALB/c mice were immunized with pools of peptides, and their lymph node cells were stimulated in vitro with individual peptides. Four epitopes were recognized by human lymphocytes but not all of them by mice. One of the epitopes was located inside the central repetitive B cell immunodominant domain. Several of the variants of the repeats were recognized by about one-third of the studied individuals. Another T cell epitope was located in the amino terminus and the other two in the carboxyl region. Peptides were recognized by both immune and nonimmune donors. Some of them were frequently recognized suggesting a lack of genetic restriction, whereas some others were recognized by only a few individuals but induced strong proliferation. These epitopes may be of potential value for a malaria subunit vaccine.