Cutting edge: activation of virus-specific CD4 T cells throughout γ-herpesvirus latency

J Immunol. 2011 Dec 15;187(12):6180-4. doi: 10.4049/jimmunol.1102745. Epub 2011 Nov 11.

Abstract

CD4 T cells are essential for immune control of γ-herpesvirus latency. We previously identified a murine MHC class II-restricted epitope in γ-herpesvirus-68 gp150 (gp150(67-83)I-A(b)) that elicits CD4 T cells that are maintained throughout long-term infection. However, it is unknown whether naive cells can be recruited into the antiviral CD4 T cell pool during latency. In this study, we generate a mouse transgenic for a gp150-specific TCR and show epitope-specific activation of transgenic CD4 T cells during acute and latent infections. Furthermore, although only dendritic cells can stimulate virus-specific CD8 T cells during latency, we show that both dendritic cells and B cells stimulate transgenic CD4 T cells. These studies demonstrate that naive CD4 T cells specific for a viral glycoprotein can be stimulated throughout infection, even during quiescent latency, suggesting that CD4 T cell memory is maintained in part by the continual recruitment of naive cells.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / metabolism
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / virology*
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte / genetics
  • Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte / immunology*
  • Herpesviridae Infections / immunology
  • Herpesviridae Infections / virology
  • Lymphocyte Activation / genetics
  • Lymphocyte Activation / immunology*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / genetics
  • Rhadinovirus / immunology*
  • Virus Activation / genetics
  • Virus Activation / immunology
  • Virus Latency / genetics
  • Virus Latency / immunology*

Substances

  • Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell