Activation of virus-specific major histocompatibility complex class II-restricted CD8+ cytotoxic T cells in CD4-deficient mice

✍ Scribed by Mirjam H. M. Heemskerk; Marco W. Schilham; Henriette M. Schoemaker; Gerrit Spierenburg; Willy J. M. Spaan; Claire J. P. Boog

• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 1995
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 427 KB
• Volume: 25
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0014-2980
• DOI: 10.1002/eji.1830250438

✦ Synopsis

Activation1 of virus-specific major histocompatibility complex class 11-restricted CD8+ cytotoxic T cells in CD4-deficient mice

Acute enteritic or respiratory disease is a consequence of coronavirus infection in man and rodents. Mouse hepatitis virus, stain A59 (MHV-A59) causes acute hepatitis in mice and rats and induces a response of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class 11-restricted CD4+ cytotoxic T cells, protecting mice against acute infection. In the present study we show that MHV-A59 infection of mice that lack ,a functional CD4 gene activates effector cells of the CD8+ phenotype. These cytotoxic T cells lyse virus-infected target cells in a MHC class 11-restricted fashion. The results indicate that CD8+ T cells have the potential to utilize MHC class I1 as restriction element, illustrating that the immune system can effectively deal with evading microorganisms, such as viruses which down-regulate MHC class I.