RV cells specific for a viral-derived peptide are as efficient as PBLs in proliferating and lysing cells pulsed with the peptide.

(A) PBL CD8⁺ (open symbols) and RV CD8⁺ cells (closed symbols) were stimulated with the M_58-66 Flu peptide and tested in a cold inhibition cytotoxic assay against T2 cells pulsed (triangle) or not (circle) with the same M_58-66 peptide. The proportion of Vβ17 TCR on PBLs or RV CD8⁺ cells stimulated with autologous cells in the absence (C) or in the presence (D) of the M_58-66 peptide is measured by cytofluorometric analysis. (B) Autofluorescence of PBLs and RV cells stained with FITC-conjugated goat antimouse antibody is shown. Results from 1 of 3 representative experiments are shown. Horizontal bars indicate % of Vβ17 in panels C and D and % GAM-FITC in panel B.