PREFERENTIAL USAGE OF THE T-CELL RECEPTOR BY INFLUENZA-VIRUS HEMAGGLUTININ-SPECIFIC HUMAN CD4(-LYMPHOCYTES - IN-VITRO LIFE-SPAN OF CLONOTYPIC T-CELLS() T)

Human helper T-cell (Th) responses to influenza A virus were studied b y analyzing T-cell receptor V beta gene diversity in hemagglutinin-spe cific Th lymphocytes. The T-lymphocyte population from peripheral bloo d became quickly oligoclonal when stimulated in vitro with the HA306-3 29 peptide, and T-cell receptor V beta 3 genes were mainly expanded. M oreover, specific junctional region oligonucleotide probes correspondi ng to hemagglutinin-specific clones were used to estimate temporal div ersity during antigenic stimulations.