Cutting edge: murine cytomegalovirus induces a polyfunctional CD4 T cell response

J Immunol. 2008 May 15;180(10):6472-6. doi: 10.4049/jimmunol.180.10.6472.

Abstract

CD4 T lymphocytes regulate the adaptive immune response to most viruses, both by providing help to CD8 T cells and B cells as well as through direct antiviral activity. Currently, no mouse cytomegalovirus (MCMV)-specific CD4 T cell responses are known. In this study, we identify and characterize 15 I-A(b)-restricted CD4 T cell responses specific for MCMV epitopes. CD4 T cells accumulate to high levels in the spleen and lungs during acute infection and produce multiple cytokines (IFN-gamma, TNF, IL-2, IL-10, and IL-17). Interestingly, IL-17 and IFN-gamma production within epitope-specific cells was found to be mutually exclusive. CD4 T cells recognizing a peptide derived from m09 were only detectable at later times of infection and displayed a unique cytokine production profile. In total, this study reveals that the MCMV-specific CD4 T cell response is complex and functionally diverse, highlighting its important role in controlling this persistent pathogen.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Antigens, Viral / immunology
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • Cytokines / biosynthesis
  • Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte / genetics
  • Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte / immunology*
  • Flow Cytometry
  • Herpesviridae Infections / immunology*
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class II / immunology
  • Lymphocyte Activation / immunology*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Muromegalovirus / immunology*

Substances

  • Antigens, Viral
  • Cytokines
  • Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class II
  • I-A(b) antigen, mouse