Positive correlation between the number of IFN-γ-secreting cells and cytolytic activity in CTL lines.

EBV-specific CTL lines from 4 HLA-A2 donors were generated by weekly restimulation with irradiated autologous LCLs for 2 to 4 weeks. The CTL lines were then assayed as responders/effectors in a paired ELISPOT/⁵¹Cr-release assay. Stimulators for the ELISPOT assay or targets for ⁵¹Cr-release assay included autologous LCLs for both the ELISPOT and ⁵¹Cr-release assays (filled diamonds), autologous PBMCs in medium containing peptide (LMP2 or BMLF1 peptide) as stimulators for ELISPOT assays, and autologous PHA blasts in medium containing peptide as targets for ⁵¹Cr-release assay (open diamonds).