A study of the ability of H-2Kk-Iak containing subcellular fractions to elicit primary anti-H-2 cytotoxic T lymphocytes

In order to identify an antigen required for elicitation of anti-H-2 cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs), we have purified the H-2-K^k glycoprotein, incorporated it into a lipid vesicle, and tested it for its ability to elicit anti-H-2K^k CTLs. The results indicate that a lipid vesicle containing purified H-2K^k can elicit specific secondary anti-H-2K^k CTLs. In addition it was shown that in association with a partially purified Ia^k fraction the primary anti-H-2K^k CTL response was enhanced. It was also shown that Ia^k antigens alone could elicit an anti-H-2^k CTL response. Although a low primary response was found with purified H-2K^k, it was observed that lipid vesicles containing both H-2K^k and Ia^k glycoproteins could elicit a significantly enhanced primary anti-H-2K^k CTL response. Lipid vesicles containing H-2K^k-Ia^k were tested for their enhanced capacity to elicit anti-H-2 CTLs as well as for their ability to elicit anti-H-2K^k CTLs in the presence of supernatants from concanavalin A-stimulated spleen cells.