Unusual restriction of a proliferative line reacting with influenza A and B viruses

A human T-cell line, B3, has been obtained by cloning spleen cells at limiting dilutions in the presence of influenza-A-virus-infected autologous cells. B3 cells were OKT 3+4+8-, E rosetting+, Sig- and were HLA-DR (+) after stimulation and HLA-DR (-) when resting. They proliferate specifically in the presence of influenza-virus-infected cells. Remarkable is that (a) the proliferation was obtained with viruses of both A and B types and (b) only autologous cells seem to be able to present the viral antigen to B3 cells.