EBV-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes protect against human EBV-associated lymphoma in scid mice.

Scid mice develop human EBV-positive B cell tumors after injection with EBV-transformed human B cells or peripheral blood lymphocytes from EBV-seropositive donors. Injection of cytotoxic T cell (CTL) lines, selectively expanded in vitro to recognize autologous EBV-transformed B cells, protected mice against developing human lymphoproliferative disease. CTL protection required a single dose of polyethylene-glycol-conjugated IL2. Mice were not protected by CTL that did not specifically recognize EBV-transformed B cells or by mitogen-activated lymphocytes.