FUNCTIONAL MATURATION OF AN ANTIVIRAL CYTOTOXIC T-CELL RESPONSE

Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) is known to induce strong, p olyclonal cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) responses. Using a set of varia nt peptides derived from the major CTL epitope of LCMV, we analyzed th e functional fine specificity of the LCMV-specific CTL response. Durin g the primary response, almost all the tested peptides were recognized . In contrast, the secondary response was purged of all minor cross-re activities and very few peptides were significantly recognized. This s tudy is the first demonstration of the functional maturation of a T-ce ll response and has important clinical and biological implications.