Infection of lymphocytes by a virus that aborts cytotoxic T lymphocyte activity and establishes persistent infection

Accelerated and improved quantification of lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) titers by flow cytometry

Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV), a natural murine pathogen, is a member of the Arenavirus family, may cause atypical meningitis in humans, and has been utilized extensively as a model pathogen for the study of virus-induced disease and immune responses. Historically, viral titers have been quantified by a standard plaque assay, but for non-cytopathic viruses including LCMV this requires lengthy incubation, so results cannot be obtained rapidly. Additionally, due to specific technical constraints of the plaque assay including the visual detection format, it has an element of subjectivity along with limited sensitivity. In this study, we describe the development of a FACS-based assay that utilizes detection of LCMV nucleoprotein (NP) expression in infected cells to determine viral titers, and that exhibits several advantages over the standard plaque assay. We show that the LCMV-NP FACS assay is an objective and reproducible detection method that requires smaller sample volumes, exhibits a ∼20-fold increase in sensitivity to and produces results three times faster than the plaque assay. Importantly, when applied to models of acute and chronic LCMV infection, the LCMV-NP FACS assay revealed the presence of infectious virus in samples that were determined to be negative by plaque assay. Therefore, this technique represents an accelerated, enhanced and objective alternative method for detection of infectious LCMV that is amenable to adaptation for other viral infections as well as high throughput diagnostic platforms.

Point mutation in the glycoprotein of lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus is necessary for receptor binding, dendritic cell infection, and long-term persistence

Arenaviruses are a major cause of hemorrhagic fevers endemic to Sub-Saharan Africa and South America, and thus a major public health and medical concern. The prototypic arenavirus lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) is widely used as a model system for studying persistent and acute infections, as well as for gaining an understanding of mammalian immune function. When originally characterized three decades ago, the LCMV isolate, Armstrong, which causes an acute infection in adult mice, was found to differ from the LCMV Clone 13 strain that causes a persistent infection by two amino acid changes, one within the virus surface glycoprotein (GP1: F260L) and the other within the virus L polymerase (K1076Q). Mutation F260L was considered solely responsible for the exceptionally strong binding affinity of Clone 13 (L at GP1 260) to its cellular receptor, α-dystroglycan, which among cells of the immune system is preferentially expressed on dendritic cells, and consequently, alters dendritic cell function leading to viral persistence. Recently, we noted a previously overlooked nucleotide difference between these two strains that results in an additional amino acid change in GP1, N176D. To investigate the potential contribution of this newly identified mutation to the Clone 13 phenotype, we used reverse-genetics approaches to generate recombinant LCM viruses with each of these individual mutations. Phenotypic characterization of these rLCMV showed that mutation F260L, but not N176D, in the GP1 of LCMV is essential for mediating the long-term persistence of Clone 13 infections. This work emphasizes the importance of subtle differences in viral strains that determine disease outcomes.

Functional glycosylation of dystroglycan is crucial for thymocyte development in the mouse

Background

Alpha-dystroglycan (α-DG) is a cell surface receptor providing a molecular link between the extracellular matrix (ECM) and the actin-based cytoskeleton. During its biosynthesis, α-DG undergoes specific and unusual O-glycosylation crucial for its function as a high-affinity cellular receptor for ECM proteins.

Methodology/Principal Findings

We report that expression of functionally glycosylated α-DG during thymic development is tightly regulated in developing T cells and largely confined to CD4⁻CD8⁻ double negative (DN) thymocytes. Ablation of DG in T cells had no effect on proliferation, migration or effector function but did reduce the size of the thymus due to a significant loss in absolute numbers of thymocytes. While numbers of DN thymocytes appeared normal, a marked reduction in CD4⁺CD8⁺ double positive (DP) thymocytes occurred. In the periphery mature naïve T cells deficient in DG showed both normal proliferation in response to allogeneic cells and normal migration, effector and memory T cell function when tested in acute infection of mice with either lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) or influenza virus.

Conclusions/Significance

Our study demonstrates that DG function is modulated by glycosylation during T cell development in vivo and that DG is essential for normal development and differentiation of T cells.

Old World and clade C New World arenaviruses mimic the molecular mechanism of receptor recognition used by alpha-dystroglycan's host-derived ligands

alpha-Dystroglycan (DG) is an important cellular receptor for extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins and also serves as the receptor for Old World arenaviruses Lassa fever virus (LFV) and lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) and clade C New World arenaviruses. In the host cell, alpha-DG is subject to a remarkably complex pattern of O glycosylation that is crucial for its interactions with ECM proteins. Two of these unusual sugar modifications, protein O mannosylation and glycan modifications involving the putative glycosyltransferase LARGE, have recently been implicated in arenavirus binding. Considering the complexity of alpha-DG O glycosylation, our present study was aimed at the identification of the specific O-linked glycans on alpha-DG that are recognized by arenaviruses. As previously shown for LCMV, we found that protein O mannosylation of alpha-DG is crucial for the binding of arenaviruses of distinct phylogenetic origins, including LFV, Mobala virus, and clade C New World arenaviruses. In contrast to the highly conserved requirement for O mannosylation, more generic O glycans present on alpha-DG are dispensable for arenavirus binding. Despite the critical role of O-mannosyl glycans for arenavirus binding under normal conditions, the overexpression of LARGE in cells deficient in O mannosylation resulted in highly glycosylated alpha-DG that was functional as a receptor for arenaviruses. Thus, modifications by LARGE but not O-mannosyl glycans themselves are most likely the crucial structures recognized by arenaviruses. Together, the data demonstrate that arenaviruses recognize the same highly conserved O-glycan structures on alpha-DG involved in ECM protein binding, indicating a strikingly similar mechanism of receptor recognition by pathogen- and host-derived ligands.

Reprogramming of antiviral T cells prevents inactivation and restores T cell activity during persistent viral infection

Failure to clear persistent viral infections results from the early loss of T cell activity. A pertinent question is whether the immune response is programmed to fail or if nonresponsive T cells can specifically be fixed to eliminate infection. Although evidence indicates that T cell expansion is permanently programmed during the initial priming events, the mechanisms that determine the acquisition of T cell function are less clear. Herein we show that in contrast to expansion, the functional programming of T cell effector and memory responses in vivo in mice is not hardwired during priming but is alterable and responsive to continuous instruction from the antigenic environment. As a direct consequence, dysfunctional T cells can be functionally reactivated during persistent infection even after an initial program of inactivation has been instituted. We also show that early therapeutic reductions in viral replication facilitate the preservation of antiviral CD4+ T cell activity, enabling the long-term control of viral replication. Thus, dysfunctional antiviral T cells can regain activity, providing a basis for future therapeutic strategies to treat persistent viral infections.

Viral targeting of hematopoietic progenitors and inhibition of DC maturation as a dual strategy for immune subversion

DCs play a pivotal role in bringing forth innate and adaptive immune responses. Viruses can specifically target DCs, rendering them ineffective in stimulating T cells, which can ultimately lead to immunosuppression. In the present study we have identified several potential mechanisms by which lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) induces immunosuppression in its natural murine host. The immunosuppressive LCMV variant clone 13 (Cl 13) infects DCs and interferes with their maturation and antigen-presenting capacity as evidenced by a significant reduction in the surface expression of MHC class I, MHC class II, CD40, CD80, and CD86 molecules. Additionally, Cl 13 infects hematopoietic progenitor cells both in vivo and in vitro, impairing their development. One mechanism by which hematopoietic progenitors are developmentally impaired is through the Cl 13-induced production of IFN-alpha and IFN-beta (IFN-alpha/beta). Mice deficient in the receptor for IFN-alpha/beta show a normal differentiation of progenitors into DCs despite viral infection. Thus, a virus can evolve a strategy to boost its survival by preventing the maturation of DCs from infected progenitor cells and by reducing the expression of antigen-presenting and costimulatory molecules on developed DCs.

CD8 T cell responses to infectious pathogens

CD8 T cells respond to viral infections but also participate in defense against bacterial and protozoal infections. In the last few years, as new methods to accurately quantify and characterize pathogen-specific CD8 T cells have become available, our understanding of in vivo T cell responses has increased dramatically. Pathogen-specific T cells, once thought to be quite rare following infection, are now known to be present at very high frequencies, particularly in peripheral, nonlymphoid tissues. With the ability to visualize in vivo CD8 T cell responses has come the recognition that T cell expansion is programmed and, to a great extent, independent of antigen concentrations. Comparison of CD8 T cell responses to different pathogens also highlights the intricate relationship between microbially induced innate inflammatory responses and the kinetics, magnitude, and character of long-term T cell responses. This review describes recent progress in some of the major murine models of CD8 T cell-mediated immunity to viral, bacterial, and protozoal infection.

Infection of dendritic cells by lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus

Dendritic cells (DCs) comprise the major antigen-presenting cells (APCs) of the host, uniquely programmed to stimulate immunologically naïve T lymphocytes. Viruses that can target and disorder the function of these cells enjoy a selective advantage. The cellular receptor for lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV), Lassa fever virus (LFV), and several other arenaviruses is alpha-dystroglycan (alpha-DG). Among cells of the immune system, CD11c+ and DEC-205+ DCs primarily and preferentially express alpha-DG. By selection, strains and variants of LCMV generated as quasi-species that bind alpha-DG with high affinity replicate in the majority of CD11c+ and DEC-205+ (>75%) DCs, causing a generalized immunosuppression, and establish a persistent infection. In contrast, viral strains and variants that bind with low affinity to alpha-DG display minimal replication in CD11c+ and DEC-205+ DCs (<10%), rarely replicate in the white pulp, and generate a robust anti-LCMV CTL response that clears the virus infection. Hence, receptor-virus interaction on DCs in vivo is an essential step in the initiation of virus-induced immunosuppression and viral persistence. Investigation into the mechanism of how virus-infected DCs cause immunosuppression reveals loss of MHC class II surface expression and costimulatory molecules on surface of such DCs. As a consequence DCs are unable to act as APCs, initiate immune responses, and have a defect in migration into the T cell area. These data indicate that LCMV infection influences DC maturation and migration, leading to decreased T cell stimulatory capacity of DCs, events essential for the initiation of immune responses. Because several other viruses known to cause immunosuppression (HIV, measles) interact with DCs, the observations noted here are likely a common selective mechanism by which viruses also are able to evade the host's immune system.

Immunosuppression and resultant viral persistence by specific viral targeting of dendritic cells

Among cells of the immune system, CD11c(+) and DEC-205(+) splenic dendritic cells primarily express the cellular receptor (alpha-dystroglycan [alpha-DG]) for lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV). By selection, strains and variants of LCMV that bind alpha-DG with high affinity are associated with virus replication in the white pulp, show preferential replication in a majority of CD11c(+) and DEC-205(+) cells, cause immunosuppression, and establish a persistent infection. In contrast, viral strains and variants that bind with low affinity to alpha-DG are associated with viral replication in the red pulp, display minimal replication in CD11c(+) and DEC-205(+) cells, and generate a robust anti-LCMV cytotoxic T lymphocyte response that clears the virus infection. Differences in binding affinities can be mapped to a single amino acid change in the viral glycoprotein 1 ligand that binds to alpha-DG. These findings indicate that receptor-virus interaction on dendritic cells in vivo can be an essential step in the initiation of virus-induced immunosuppression and viral persistence.

TCR-Mediated internalization of peptide-MHC complexes acquired by T cells

Peptide-major histocompatibility complex protein complexes (pMHCs) on antigen-presenting cells (APCs) are central to T cell activation. Within minutes of peptide-specific T cells interacting with APCs, pMHCs on APCs formed clusters at the site of T cell contact. Thereafter, these clusters were acquired by T cells and internalized through T cell receptor-mediated endocytosis. During this process, T cells became sensitive to peptide-specific lysis by neighboring T cells (fratricide). This form of immunoregulation could explain the "exhaustion" of T cell responses that is induced by high viral loads and may serve to down-regulate immune responses.

Retroviral vectors pseudotyped with lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus

Pseudotyping can improve retroviral vector stability and transduction efficiency. Here, we describe a novel pseudotype of murine leukemia virus packaged with lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV). This pseudotype was stable during ultracentrifugation and infected several cell lines from different species. Moreover, LCMV glycoproteins were not cell toxic.

Evidence for an underlying CD4 helper and CD8 T-cell defect in B-cell-deficient mice: failure to clear persistent virus infection after adoptive immunotherapy with virus-specific memory cells from muMT/muMT mice

Adoptive transfer of virus-specific memory lymphocytes can be used to identify factors and mechanisms involved in the clearance of persistent virus infections. To analyze the role of B cells in clearing persistent infection with lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV), we used B-cell-deficient muMT/muMT (B-/-) mice. B-/- mice controlled an acute LCMV infection with the same kinetics and efficiency as B-cell-competent (B+/+) mice via virus-specific, major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I-restricted CD8(+) cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL). CTL from B-/- and B+/+ mice were equivalent in affinity to known LCMV CTL epitopes and had similar CTL precursor frequencies (pCTL). Adoptive transfer of memory cells from B+/+ mice led to virus clearance from persistently infected B+/+ recipients even after in vitro depletion of B cells, indicating that B cells or immunoglobulins are not required in the transfer population. In contrast, transfer of memory splenocytes from B-/- mice failed to clear virus. Control of virus was restored neither by transferring higher numbers of pCTL nor by supplementing B-/- memory splenocytes with LCMV-immune B cells or immune sera. Instead, B-/- mice were found to have a profound CD4 helper defect. Furthermore, compared to cultured splenocytes from B+/+ mice, those from B-/- mice secreted less gamma interferon (IFN-gamma) and interleukin 2, with differences most pronounced for CD8 T cells. While emphasizing the importance of CD4 T-cell help and IFN-gamma in the control of persistent infections, the CD4 T-helper and CD8 T-cell defects in B-/- mice suggest that B cells contribute to the induction of competent T effector cells.

Comparison of activation versus induction of unresponsiveness of virus-specific CD4+ and CD8+ T cells upon acute versus persistent viral infection

The functional status of CD4+ T cells during establishment of persistent infection with the noncytopathic lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus was assessed and compared to that of cytotoxic CD8+ T cells. Functionality of virus-specific CD4+ T cells was measured by proliferative responses, cytokine secretion, cognate help, and IFNgamma-mediated protection against challenge infection with recombinant vaccinia virus. Functional CD4+ T cells were induced early after infection and remained measurable up to 6 weeks but then were rendered unresponsive. In contrast, CD8+ T cells were functionally inactivated within 10-15 days. Importantly, functional inactivation of virus-specific CD4+ T cells during persistent viral infection seemed to be critical for the survival of the host.

Dynamics of cytotoxic T-lymphocyte exhaustion

We examine simple mathematical models to investigate the circumstances under which the dynamics of cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) activation and differentiation may result in the loss of virus specific CD8+ cells, a process known as CTL exhaustion. We distinguish between two general classes of viruses: (i) viruses infecting cells that are not involved in the immune response; and (ii) viruses infecting antigen presenting cells (APCs) and helper cells. The models specify host and viral properties that lead to CTL exhaustion and indicate that this phenomenon is only likely to be observed with viruses infecting APCs and helper cells. Moreover, it is found that for such viruses, a high rate of replication and a low degree of cytopathogenicity promote the exhaustion of the CTL response. In addition, a high initial virus load and a low CD4+ cell count promote the occurrence of CTL exhaustion. These conclusions are discussed with reference to empirical data on lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus and on human immunodeficiency virus.

What can we learn about human immunodeficiency virus infection from a study of lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus?

The role of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection remains elusive. Since the discovery 10 years ago of high levels of specific CTL in this disease, some have argued that they play an important role in virus control, others that they drive disease progression through destruction of T helper cells, and others still that they play no obvious role at all. By contrast, the central role of CTL in murine lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) infection has been very clearly worked out through the use of in vivo depletion and adoptive transfer experiments, as well as knockout and transgenic mice. To interpret the possible roles for CTL in HIV, we have therefore made a comparison between what is known about CTL and their interaction with virus-infected cells in these two infections. This illustrates a potential critical role for these cells in both control of HIV replication and immune-mediated pathology, but one that is highly dependent on virus dose, distribution and dynamics.

Low-affinity cytotoxic T-lymphocytes require IFN-gamma to clear an acute viral infection

The majority of the response of cytotoxic T-lymphocytes (CTL) to lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) in H-2d mice is directed toward one epitope located on the nucleoprotein (NP, aa 118-126), and usually no primary responses to other epitopes are detectable. Previous studies have shown that thymic expression of lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus-nucleoprotein (LCMV-NP) in H-2d transgenic mice (Thy-NP mice) leads to deletion of high-affinity anti-LCMV-NP CTL by negative selection. Selection is incomplete, so that low-affinity NP-specific CTL pass through the thymus and are detectable in the periphery. To analyze the importance of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) in the ability of low-affinity antiviral CTL to clear an acute viral infection, double transgenic mice were generated that are IFN-gamma deficient and express the NP of LCMV in the thymus (Thy-NP x IFN-gamma -/- mice). When infected with LCMV, these bigenic mice were unable to clear the infection despite generating low-affinity primary antiviral CTL, and they became persistently infected. In contrast, IFN-gamma competent Thy-NP mice cleared LCMV within 7-8 days and IFN-gamma deficient mice that did not express NP in their thymus generated high-affinity CTL that terminated an acute LCMV infection within 10-12 days post-viral challenge. Persistently infected IFN-gamma deficient mice selectively depleted LCMV-specific CTL and displayed reduced levels of antigen-presenting cells in the spleen, and 60% of these mice died at 2-3 months postinfection. Thus, IFN-gamma is required for clearing an acute viral infection in the absence of a high-affinity CTL response. In the absence of IFN-gamma persistent viral infection results despite the presence of low-affinity CTL.

Antibody prevents the establishment of persistent arenavirus infection in synergy with endogenous T cells

A cardinal feature of the biology of lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) is its ability to establish persistent infections in mice. Persistence is usually established by infection of the mouse during the in utero or neonatal period. Susceptibility can be extended to the adult by treatment with immunosuppressive agents or by infection with immunosuppressive strains of LCMV. In this study we investigated the capacity of passively acquired anti-LCMV antibodies to prevent the establishment of persistence in both neonatal and adult mice. Suckling BALB/c mouse pups nursed by mothers immunized against LCMV before pregnancy had higher survival rates following infection than controls and withstood challenge doses of up to 400 PFU without becoming persistently infected. To establish that maternal antibody alone and not maternally derived T cells provided this protection, nonimmune mothers were infused with monoclonal anti-LCMV neutralizing antibodies within 24 h after delivering their pups. Pups nursing on these passively immunized mothers were resistant to persistent LCMV infection. The establishment of persistence in adult BALB/c mice by the immunosuppressive, macrophage-tropic LCMV variant, clone 13 was also prevented by prophylactic treatment with anti-LCMV monoclonal antibodies. However, the protection afforded by passively acquired antibody was found to be incomplete if the recipients lacked functional CD8+ T cells. While 65% of neonatal athymic (nu/nu) mice nursed by immune nu/+ dams resisted low-dose viral challenge (25 PFU), the majority of nude pups challenged with high doses of virus (100 PFU) became persistently infected. Also, protection was incomplete in beta2-microglobulin knockout mice, which lack functional CD8+ T cells, suggesting that a cooperative effect was exerted by the combination of neutralizing antibody and endogenous T cells. These results indicate that antibodies provide an effective barrier to the establishment of persistent infections in immunocompetent mice and reaffirm that vaccines which induce strong humoral responses may provide efficient protection against arenavirus infections.

CD4-deficient mice have reduced levels of memory cytotoxic T lymphocytes after immunization and show diminished resistance to subsequent virus challenge

Although primary antiviral CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) can be induced in mice depleted of CD4+ T cells, the role of CD4+ T lymphocytes in the generation and maintenance of antiviral memory CTL is uncertain. This question, and the consequences upon vaccine-mediated protection, were investigated in transgenic CD4 knockout (CD4ko) mice, which lack CD4+ T lymphocytes. Infection of immunocompetent C57BL/6 mice with lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV), or with recombinant vaccinia viruses bearing appropriate LCMV sequences, induces long-lasting protective immunity, mediated mainly by antiviral CD8+ CTL. Here we report two important findings. First, LCMV-specific CD8+ memory CTL are maintained at considerably lower levels in CD4ko mice than in normal C57BL/6J mice; we demonstrate a reduction in precursor CTL evident as soon as 30 days postimmunization and declining, by day 120, to levels 1 to 2 log units below those in normal mice. Thus, CD4+ T cells appear to be important to the generation and maintenance of their CD8+ counterparts. Second, this reduction has an important biological consequence; compared with immunocompetent mice, CD4ko mice immunized with vaccinia virus recombinants expressing nucleoprotein or glycoprotein of LCMV are less effectively protected from subsequent LCMV challenge. Thus, this study underscores the potential importance of CD4+ T lymphocytes in generation of appropriate levels of CD(8+)-cell-mediated immunoprotective memory and has implications for vaccine efficacy in individuals with immune defects in which CD4 levels may be reduced, such as AIDS.

Viral peptide specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes are of high avidity to host-MHC but only low avidity to donor-MHC after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation

In the thymus maturing T lymphocytes are positively selected for efficient interaction with self-MHC molecules. Consequently, mature peripheral T cells recognize foreign (microbial) antigens in association with self-MHC molecules (known as MHC restricted recognition). In experimental bone marrow transplantation (BMT) lymphohaemopoietic stem cells from an MHC disparate donor transfused to an irradiated host give rise to mature T lymphocytes with host-MHC restriction specificity. While experiments with T cell receptor transgenic mice have largely confirmed this concept, many studies using genetically unmanipulated animals analysing polyclonal T cell repertoires have also shown donor-MHC restricted T cell activities after allogeneic BMT. To analyse this discrepancy we generated 18 virus specific cytotoxic T cell (CTL) clones, 16 from F1 into parent and two from fully allogeneic bone marrow chimeras, and analysed the MHC restriction specificity in proliferation and cytotoxicity assays. The cytotoxicity of all the clones was primarily host-MHC restricted. However, the CTL clones proliferated to viral antigen presented by both donor- or host-MHC. Our model allowed CTL cloning by cross-specific stimulation with antigen plus either donor-MHC or else host-MHC. Interestingly, even the 14 CTL clones which had been raised with donor-MHC systematically killed host-MHC but not donor-MHC expressing cells. Thus, after BMT, CTLs may proliferate crossreactively to donor-MHC but cytolysis is predominantly directed to host-MHC expressing cells. Since lytic CTL activity probably reflects high avidity CTL interaction necessary for viral clearance in vivo, the data suggest that the donor-MHC restricted CTL activity may not be protective and that virus may escape CTL surveillance in donor cells.

DNA vaccination against persistent viral infection

This study shows that DNA vaccination can confer protection against a persistent viral infection by priming CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL). Adult BALB/c (H-2d) mice were injected intramuscularly with a plasmid expressing the nucleoprotein (NP) gene of lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) under the control of the cytomegalovirus promoter. The LCMV NP contains the immunodominant CTL epitope (amino acids 118 to 126) recognized by mice of the H-2d haplotype. After three injections with 200 micrograms of NP DNA, the vaccinated mice were challenged with LCMV variants (clones 13 and 28b) that establish persistent infection in naive adult mice. Fifty percent of the DNA-vaccinated mice were protected, as evidenced by decreased levels of infectious virus in the blood and tissues, eventual clearance of viral antigen from all organs tested, the presence of an enhanced LCMV-specific CD8+ CTL response, and maintenance of memory CTL after clearance of virus infection. However, it should be noted that protection was seen in only half of the vaccinated mice, and we were unable to directly measure virus-specific immune responses in any of the DNA-vaccinated mice prior to LCMV challenge. Thus, at least in the system that we have used, gene immunization was a suboptimal method of inducing protective immunity and was several orders of magnitude less efficient than vaccination with live virus. In conclusion, our results show that DNA immunization works against a persistent viral infection but that efforts should be directed towards improving this novel method of vaccination.

Analysis of protein synthesis by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis in T cells persistently infected with coxsackie B virus

Coxsackie B viruses (CBV) have been implicated in various human diseases that present as either limited acute infections or prolonged chronic infections. A number of investigations have suggested that a virus-induced immune dysfunction might play a role in in vivo pathogenesis. In the current study, we describe CBV infection of two human T cell-derived cell lines (Jurkat and MOLT-4 cells) as potential models for CBV infection of lymphocytes. Short term (up to 144 h post-infection) CBV infection of either cell line resulted in a decline in the viability of the cell population together with an approximate 10-fold rise in the titre of infectious virus during the period of incubation. Analyses of the intracellular proteins by two-dimensional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (2-D PAGE) demonstrated that although putative virus proteins were detectable there was minimal inhibition of the cellular protein synthesis following CBV infection. This contrasted with the more permissive and highly lytic CBV infection of HEp-2C cells (Cash, Electrophoresis 1991, 10, 793-800). Persistently infected cell lines from both Jurkat and MOLT-4 cells (piJURKAT-3673 and piMOLT-2667 cells) were established. Analyses of intracellular protein synthesis of these persistently infected cell lines showed the synthesis of novel proteins not detected for the corresponding uninfected parental cell line. There were no significant alterations in overall cellular protein synthesis detectable by the small format 2-D PAGE system employed in these investigations. The data presented in the current investigation will contribute towards studies on virus-induced responses of specific biological functions associated with T cells.

Virus-induced immunosuppression: immune system-mediated destruction of virus-infected dendritic cells results in generalized immune suppression

Despite the clinical importance of virus-induced immunosuppression, how virus infection may lead to a generalized suppression of the host immune response is poorly understood. To elucidate the principles involved, we analyzed the mechanism by which a lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) variant produces a generalized immune suppression in its natural host, the mouse. Whereas adult mice inoculated intravenously with LCMV Armstrong rapidly clear the infection and remain immunocompetent, inoculation with the Armstrong-derived LCMV variant clone 13, which differs from its parent virus at only two amino acid positions, by contrast results in persistent infection and a generalized deficit in responsiveness to subsequent immune challenge. Here we show that the immune suppression induced by LCMV clone 13 is associated with a CD8-dependent loss of interdigitating dendritic cells from periarteriolar lymphoid sheaths in the spleen and, functionally, with a deficit in the ability of splenocytes from infected mice to stimulate the proliferation of naive T cells in a primary mixed lymphocyte reaction. Dendritic cells are not depleted in immunocompetent Armstrong-infected mice. LCMV Armstrong and clone 13 exhibit differences in their tropism within the spleen, with clone 13 causing a higher level of infection of antigen-presenting cells in the white pulp, including periarterial interdigitating dendritic cells, than Armstrong, thereby rendering these cells targets for destruction by the antiviral CD8+ cytotoxic T-lymphocyte response which is induced at early times following infection with either virus. Our findings illustrate the key role that virus tropism may play in determining pathogenicity and, further, document a mechanism for virus-induced immunosuppression which may contribute to the clinically important immune suppression associated with many virus infections, including human immunodeficiency virus type 1.

Immunosuppression by a noncytolytic virus via T cell mediated immunopathology. Implication for AIDS

HIV is basically a non- or poorly cytocidal virus. Therefore, HIV infections in humans represent an apparent perversity in the balance between the host immune system and infectious agent: This noncytopathic virus infects macrophages, antigen presenting cells, helper T cells and other host cells which are then destroyed by the CD8+ T cell immune response. Thus, HIV infects some of the key cells involved in immune reactions and therefore induces the immune system to destroy itself and thereby enables the virus to persist. Accordingly, immunosuppression is not a cause of HIV cytopathogenicity but a consequence of conventional T cell mediated immunopathology that destroys macrophages antigen presenting cells, T helper cells and facilitates infection by trivial intracellular parasites which eventually cause fatal disease. This immunopathological view of AIDS is testable and, if correct, impinges on rationales for AIDS prevention and treatment.

Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus-induced immune dysfunction: induction of and recovery from T-cell anergy in acutely infected mice

Acute infection of immunocompetent mice by lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus induces a potent cytotoxic T-lymphocyte response that eliminates infectious virus. Concurrently and paradoxically, there is a general suppression of lymphocyte responses to mitogens and to other infectious agents. Splenocytes from infected mice released significant amounts of gamma interferon in response to mitogenic stimulation in vitro, but neither interleukin 2 nor interleukin 4 was similarly elevated relative to the amounts released by control cells. Early T-cell receptor-proximal signaling events were found to be intact, confirming that the cells were viable and had received the mitogenic stimuli in an appropriate manner. Acutely infected adult thymectomized mice regained concanavalin A responsiveness in parallel with euthymic mice, if T cells were left unmanipulated for several weeks after clearance of virus from the mice. Therefore, although acute lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus infection has the effect of disrupting proliferation when the T-cell receptor is ligated, this state is only temporary. In contrast, T cells from persistently infected adult mice reveal long-lasting alterations in concanavalin A responsiveness.

Tissue-mediated selection of viral variants: correlation between glycoprotein mutation and growth in neuronal cells

Viral variants with different biological properties predominate in the central nervous system (CNS) and lymphoid tissues of carrier mice infected at birth with the Armstrong strain of lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus. The CNS isolates have the same phenotype as the parental strain and cause acute infections in adult mice, while the spleen-derived isolates cause chronic infections associated with suppressed T-cell responses and susceptibility to opportunistic infections. Our previous studies have identified a single amino acid change in the viral glycoprotein, a phenylalanine-to-leucine (F-->L) mutation at residue 260, that correlates with the tissue-specific selection and the persistent and immunosuppressive phenotype of the spleen isolates (R. Ahmed, C.S. Hahn, T. Somasundaram, L. Villarete, M. Matloubian, and J. H. Strauss, J. Virol. 65:4242-4247, 1991). In this study, we screened viral isolates obtained from the spleen, liver, kidney, and brain of carrier mice for the presence of this mutation and determined the temporal selection of variants as they appear in these organs. We found that this F-->L amino acid change is common to > 90% of the spleen and liver isolates and is selected for rapidly by day 32 postinfection (p.i.). Although the kinetics observed in the kidney are relatively slower than in the spleen and liver, this F-->L mutation predominates in the kidney-derived isolates by 250 days p.i. In contrast, the majority of the CNS isolates retain the parental sequence up to 250 days p.i. In addition, most of the brain isolates replicated efficiently in a neuronal cell line, and this enhanced growth phenotype in neurons correlated with the parental F genotype. This linkage with neurotropism, along with our earlier finding that the F-->L mutation is necessary for enhanced infection of macrophages (M. Matloubian, S. R. Kolhekar, T. Somasundaram, and R. Ahmed, J. Virol. 67:7340-7349, 1993), provides a cellular basis for the molecular changes associated with tissue-specific selection. Taken together, these results suggest that tropism for macrophages is a critical determinant in selection of variants with the F-->L mutation in tissues such as spleen and liver, and tropism for neurons is important in retention of the F genotype in the CNS.

Infection and immunoregulation of T lymphocytes by parainfluenza virus type 3

Human parainfluenza virus type 3 (HPIV3) is a major cause of disease in newborns and infants. It also has a striking potential to reinfect individuals throughout their lives, suggesting that HPIV3 does not induce lifelong immunity; however, the operative mechanism for the failure to prevent reinfection is not known. We have assessed the potential of the virus to infect nontransformed human T lymphocytes and have found that T cells are readily infected by the virus. Productive infection requires activation of the T cells and results in a marked inhibition of proliferation. Furthermore, our results indicate that exposure to the virus, even without overt expression of viral proteins as detected by immunohistology, profoundly alters the functional capacity of the T cells. The capacity of the virus to regulate T-lymphocyte function may play an important role in the failure of the virus to induce lifelong immunity.

Enhanced establishment of a virus carrier state in adult CD4+ T-cell-deficient mice

CD4+ T cells play an important role in regulating the immune response; their contribution to virus clearance is variable. Mice that lack CD4+ T cells (CD4-/- mice) and are therefore unable to produce neutralizing antibodies cleared viscero-lymphotropic lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) strain WE when infected intravenously with a low dose (2 x 10(2) PFU) because of an effective CD8+ cytotoxic T-cell (CTL) response. In contrast, infection with a high dose (2 x 10(6) PFU) of LCMV strain WE led to expansion of antiviral CTL, which disappeared in CD4-/- mice; in contrast, CD4+ T-cell-competent mice developed antiviral memory CTL. This exhaustion of specific CTL caused viral persistence in CD4-/- mice, whereas CD4+ T-cell-competent mice eliminated the virus. After infection of CD4-/- mice with the faster-replicating LCMV strain DOCILE, abrogation of CTL response and establishment of viral persistence developed after infection with a low dose (5 x 10(2) PFU), i.e., an about 100-fold lower dose than in CD(4+)-competent control mice. These results show that absence of T help enhances establishment of an LCMV carrier state in selected situations.

T-cell-mediated immunopathology versus direct cytolysis by virus: implications for HIV and AIDS

It has been much debated as to whether CD4+ T-cell depletion and the pathogenesis of AIDS is the result of direct cytolytic effects of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), T-cell apoptosis by nonspecific activation, dysregulation of cytokine production, or autoimmunity. In this context, Rolf Zinkernagel and Hans Hengartner discuss data from model infections with non-cytopathic viruses. They suggest that HIV may cause immunosuppression, not by direct cytolytic effects, but rather by a conventional virus-specific cytotoxic T-cell-mediated immunopathology.

How virus induces a rapid or slow onset insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus in a transgenic model

We developed two distinct transgenic mouse models in which virus induced insulin-dependent (type 1) diabetes mellitus (IDDM). In one of these lines, the unique viral transgene was expressed in the islets of Langerhans and also in the thymus, but in the other line, expression was only in the islets. Insertion and expression of the viral (self) gene, per se, did not lead to IDDM, (incidence < 5%). By contrast, induction of an anti-self (anti-viral) CD8+ CTL response to the same virus later in life caused IDDM (incidence < 90%) in both transgenic lines, although the kinetics and requirements for CD4 help, the affinity and avidity of CD8+ CTL differed in each line. Mice not expressing the viral (self) gene in the thymus developed IDDM 10-14 days after infection. CD4+ T cells played no detectable role, since their depletion failed to alter either the kinetics or incidence of IDDM. By contrast, mice that expressed the viral gene in the thymus required significantly more time to develop IDDM. Their anti-self (viral) CD8+ CTL were of lower affinity and avidity than CD8+ CTL generated by nontransgenic controls. Disease was dependent on T cell help, since deletion of CD4+ cells completely circumvented the IDDM.

Molecular determinants of macrophage tropism and viral persistence: importance of single amino acid changes in the polymerase and glycoprotein of lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus

This study documents that the immunosuppressive lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) variant, clone 13, shows a specific predilection for enhanced infection of macrophages both in vitro and in vivo and that single amino acid changes in the viral polymerase and glycoprotein are responsible for macrophage tropism. The growth difference seen between variant clone 13 and the parental Armstrong strain was specific for macrophages, since both clone 13 and Armstrong grew equally well in fibroblasts and neither isolate infected lymphocytes efficiently. Complete sequencing of the clone 13 genome, along with genetic analysis, showed that a single amino acid change in the polymerase (K-->Q at position 1079) was the major determinant of virus yield in macrophages. This was proven unequivocally by comparing the sequences of parental and reassortant viruses, which were identical at all loci except for the single mutation in the polymerase gene. This finding was further strengthened by showing that reversion at this site back to lysine (Q-->K) resulted in loss of macrophage tropism. In addition, an independently derived macrophage-tropic variant of LCMV, clone 28b, had a K-->N mutation at the same position. Thus, these results show that substitution of the positively charged amino acid K with a neutral amino acid (either Q or N) at residue 1079 of the polymerase resulted in enhanced viral replication in macrophages. In addition to the polymerase change, a mutation in the glycoprotein was also associated with macrophage tropism. This single amino acid change in the glycoprotein (F-->L at position 260) did not affect virus yield per macrophage but was critical in determining the number of macrophages infected. Our previous studies have shown that the same two mutations in the polymerase and glycoprotein are essential for establishing a chronic infection in adult mice. Since the same mutations confer macrophage tropism and ability to persist in vivo, these studies provide compelling evidence that infection of macrophages is a critical determinant of viral persistence and immune suppression.

Vaccination to prevent persistent viral infection

Persistent virus infections are increasingly being recognized as a significant cause of human morbidity and mortality. To establish persistence, a virus must establish infection and evade eradication by the host immune response, in particular by cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL). We have studied a virus that establishes persistence in part by suppressing the CTL response of the infected host. The virus persists in many cell types, including lymphocytes and macrophages. We show that prior immunization with a vaccine designed to induce CTL (in the absence of antiviral antibody) confers complete protection against subsequent establishment of persistence in all tissues analyzed. The vaccine can be designed to express as few as 10 amino acids of a viral protein that comprise the CTL epitope. Further, two CTL epitopes for two discrete MHC haplotypes can be successfully used in a single vaccine that protects both strains of mice. Hence, a "string of CTL epitopes" (beads) concept for vaccination is feasible. Finally, the CTL vaccine provided protection against the establishment of persistence by an immunosuppressive virus.

Borna disease virus in peripheral blood mononuclear and bone marrow cells of neonatally and chronically infected rats

Borna disease virus (BDV) establishes a persistent infection in cells of the nervous system in rats. The response, or lack thereof, of the immune system to BDV infection of neurons is responsible for the presence or absence, respectively, of Borna disease. We recently demonstrated transmission of BDV by bone marrow cells from neonatally infected rats. Our findings suggested the possibility of a heretofore unsuspected interaction between BDV and the immune system, that of direct effects of BDV infection on the cells of the immune system. This report enlarges upon the previous findings and confirms the presence of BDV RNA in bone marrow cells of neonatally infected rats, using a reverse transcription-polymerization chain reaction-enzyme immunosorbent assay (RT-PCR-EIA). In addition, we detected BDV RNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of neonatally infected rats, and in rats inoculated as adults in the chronic, but not the acute, stage of infection. In addition, the RT-PCR-EIA technique identified BDV RNA in cerebrospinal fluid, nasal secretions, saliva, urine and stool. BDV-sequences were not detected in the plasma of infected animals nor in the body fluids and tissues of normal rats.

The carrier state in foot and mouth disease--an immunological review

The carrier state in foot and mouth disease (FMD) is characterized by the asymptomatic low-level excretion of foot and mouth disease virus (FMDV) from the oropharynx of ruminants for periods that are species and virus strain-dependent. Persistent infection with FMDV readily occurs following the failure of virus elimination at the acute stage of infection, a process thought to be mediated through the phagocytosis of antibody/virus immune complexes. Recent evidence supports the view that carrier cattle are important in the epidemiology of FMD in the field. The absence of histopathological change in persistently infected tissues and the reduced cytopathology of carrier virus isolates in tissue culture suggest that less lytic FMDV variants are generated or selected in the carrier animal. Altered virus replication, due to attenuation or interference, rather than antigenic variation may therefore allow evasion of the exaggerated FMDV-specific systemic and local humoral immune responses that occur in the carrier state. Although cell-mediated immune mechanisms for FMDV clearance have not been described, the eventual elimination of many persistent virus infections involves this arm of the immune system. Thus, further investigation of cellular elements of the immune response, more particularly the local interaction of mononuclear cell infiltrates with persistently infected cells, represents an area of research that has the potential to elucidate the carrier state problem.

Virus persistence in acutely infected immunocompetent mice by exhaustion of antiviral cytotoxic effector T cells

Viruses that are non- or poorly cytopathic have developed various strategies to avoid elimination by the immune system and to persist in the host. Acute infection of adult mice with the noncytopathic lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) normally induces a protective cytotoxic T-cell response that also causes immunopathology. But some LCMV strains (such as DOCILE (LCMV-D) or Cl-13 Armstrong (Cl-13)) derived from virus carrier mice tend to persist after acute infection of adult mice without causing lethal immunopathological disease. Tendency to persist correlates with tropism, rapidity of virus spread and virus mutations. We report here that these LCMV isolates may persist because they induce most of the specific antiviral CD8+ cytotoxic T cells so completely that they all disappear within a few days and therefore neither eliminate the virus nor cause lethal immunopathology. The results illustrate that partially and sequentially induced (protective) immunity or complete exhaustion of T-cell immunity (high zone tolerance) are quantitatively different points on the scale of immunity; some viruses exploit the latter possibility to persist in an immunocompetent host.

Immune protection vs. immunopathology vs. autoimmunity: a question of balance and of knowledge

Immunological mechanisms have been suspected and have been shown to be involved in many acute or chronic, and also in some neurological diseases. However, in most cases it is unclear whether disease is caused by insufficient immunity, delayed immunity against infectious agents or by autoimmunity (i.e., reactivity to a "normal" self). The present summary is a biased view of immunological pathogenic principles that may explain some of the questions henceforth. Two proposals will be illustrated. Firstly, T cell mediated immune protection is mediated by cell destruction, i.e., pathology, therefore both beneficial and harmful effects of T cell responses against foreign, mostly infectious, antigens will be the result of the balance between kinetics of immune response and infectious agents. Secondly, if one knows the causative agent, the immunologically mediated disease is called "immunopathological" whereas if a new or trivial causative agent is not recognized the disease is called "autoimmune".

Characterization of lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus-binding protein(s): a candidate cellular receptor for the virus

The attachment of lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) to murine and primate cell lines was quantitated by a fluorescence-activated cell sorter assay in which binding of biotinylated virus was detected with streptavidin-fluorescein isothiocyanate. Cell lines that were readily infected by LCMV (e.g., MC57, Rin, BHK, Vero, and HeLa) bound virus in a dose-dependent manner, whereas no significant binding was observed to lymphocytic cell lines (e.g., RMA and WIL 2) that were not readily infected. Binding was specific and competitively blocked by nonbiotinylated LCMV. It was also blocked by LCMV-specific antiserum and a neutralizing monoclonal antibody to the virus glycoprotein GP-1 but not by antibodies specific for GP-2, indicating that attachment was likely mediated by GP-1. Treatment of cells with any of several proteases abolished LCMV binding, whereas phospholipases including phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C had no effect, indicating that one or more membrane proteins were involved in virus attachment. These proteins were characterized with a virus overlay protein blot assay. Virus bound to protein(s) with a molecular mass of 120 to 140 kDa in membranes from cell lines permissive for LCMV but not from nonpermissive cell lines. Binding was specific, since unlabeled LCMV, but not the unrelated enveloped virus herpes simplex virus type 1, competed with 125I-labeled LCMV for binding to the 120- to 140-kDa band. The proteinaceous nature of the LCMV-binding substance was confirmed by the lack of virus binding to proteinase K-treated membrane components. By contrast, glycosidase treatment of membranes did not abolish virus binding. However, in membranes treated with endoglycosidase F/N-glycosidase F, and/or neuraminidase and in membranes from cells grown in tunicamycin, the molecular mass of the LCMV-binding entity was reduced. Hence, LCMV attachment to rodent fibroblastic cell lines is mediated by a glycoprotein(s) with a molecular mass of 120 to 140 kDa, with complex N-linked sugars that are not involved in virus binding.

Virus-induced acquired immune suppression by cytotoxic T cell-mediated immunopathology

Acute infection with lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus causes a severe immune suppression in immunocompetent mice by triggering a T cell-mediated immunopathology, probably directed against infected macrophages and dendritic cells. An important role of gamma interferon may be to protect lymphohaemopoietic cells from virus infection and destruction by cytopathic effects of either the virus or of anti-viral immunity.

Novel LCMV-specific H-2k restricted CTL clones recognize internal viral gene products and cause CNS disease

H-2k (C3H/Hej) cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) specific for lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) were cloned. Three clones recognizing internal viral antigens were studied. One such CTL clone recognized neither the glycoprotein nor nucleoprotein encoded by the viral short RNA segment, but reacted with a protein encoded by the long RNA segment, either the viral polymerase, or the Z protein. This one clone, in addition to primary CTL harvested from immunized C3H mice, failed to lyse target cells expressing the Z protein, suggesting recognition was to the viral polymerase. Two other clones recognized the viral nucleoprotein, amino acids 93-100, as determined by protein deletion and peptide mapping studies. When introduced directly into the central nervous systems of LCMV-infected histocompatible mice, all clones were active in vivo and capable of causing immunopathologically mediated death.

Virally induced immunosuppression

A mouse model of virus-triggered, T-cell mediated acquired immunosuppression is analyzed. Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus initially infects mostly macrophages and antigen-presenting cells; these are destroyed by lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus specific cytotoxic T cells resulting in immunosuppression. Similar immunopathological mechanisms may play a role in acquired immune deficiency syndrome.

Immunosuppression by lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus infection: competent effector T and B cells but impaired antigen presentation

Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) may cause a severe immunosuppression in mice. Its pathogenesis is apparently dependent on LCMV-specific CD8 effector T cells that mediate the destruction of virus-infected cells which are normally essentially involved in immune responses. Evaluation of various LCMV isolates in this study established a general correlation between their tropism for lymphohemopoietic cells and immunosuppression. When immune responses were assessed as the capacity of mice to mount an anti-vaccinia virus cytotoxic T cell response or an IgG response to vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV), after a primary LCMV infection, LCMV-Armstrong, WE, Clone 13 and Docile were increasingly immunosuppressive in a dose-dependent fashion with respect to both extent and duration. Analysis of lymphocyte subpopulations showed variable effects of the various LCMV isolates that did not reveal patterns readily explaining immunosuppression. To evaluate whether LCMV infection affected T and/or B cell functions directly or whether antigen presentation was impaired, adoptive transfer experiments were performed. Untreated or irradiated but uninfected normal recipient mice receiving adoptively transferred T or B cells from LCMV-WE or Docile-infected immunosuppressed donor mice responded within 30%-100% of normal ranges in both assay systems. In contrast, when T or B cells from normal donors were transferred to irradiated or non-irradiated LCMV-immunosuppressed recipients, they failed to mount a significant cytotoxic T cell response against vaccinia virus or an IgG response to VSV. Thus, the T and B cells from LCMV-immunosuppressed mice were able to function within normal ranges; in contrast, histologically and functionally, antigen presentation was severely impaired in LCMV-immunosuppressed mice.

Suppression of virus-specific antibody production by CD8+ class I-restricted antiviral cytotoxic T cells in vivo

The question of whether virus-induced immunosuppression includes the antibody response against the infecting virus itself was evaluated in a model situation. Transgenic mice expressing the T-cell receptor (TCR) specific for peptide 32-42 of lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) glycoprotein 1 presented by Db reacted with a strong transgenic cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) response starting on day 3 after infection with a high dose (10(6) PFU intravenously [i.v.]) of the WE strain of LCMV (LCMV-WE); LCMV-specific antibody production in the spleen was suppressed in these mice. Low-dose (10(2) PFU i.v.) infection resulted in an antiviral antibody response comparable to that of the transgene-negative littermates. The induction of suppression of LCMV-specific antibody responses was specifically mediated by CD8+ TCR transgenic CTLs, since the LCMV-8.7 variant virus (which is not recognized by transgenic TCR-expressing CTLs because of a point mutation) did not induce suppression. In addition, treatment with CD8 monoclonal antibody in vivo abrogated suppression. Once suppression had been established, it was found to be nonspecific. The abrogation of antibody responses depended on the relative kinetics of the antibody response involved and the kinetics of the anti-LCMV CTL response. Analysis of T- and B-cell subpopulations showed no significant changes, but immunohistochemical analysis of spleens revealed extensive destruction of follicular organization in lymphoid tissue by day 4 in transgenic mice infected with LCMV-WE but not in those infected with the CTL escape mutant LCMV-8.7. Impairment of antigen presentation rather than of T or B cells was also suggested by adoptive transfer experiments, showing that transferred infected macrophages may improve the anti-LCMV antibody response in LCMV-immunosuppressed transgenic recipients; also, T and B cells from suppressed transgenic mice did respond in irradiated and virus-infected nontransgenic mice with antibody formation to LCMV. Such virus-triggered, T-cell-mediated immunopathology causing the suppression of B cells and of protective antibody responses, including those against the infecting virus itself, may permit certain viruses to establish persistent infections.

Role and specificity of T-cell subsets in spontaneous recovery from Friend virus-induced leukemia in mice

Spontaneous recovery from Friend virus complex-induced leukemic splenomegaly in H-2Db/b mice correlated with the appearance of Friend virus complex-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) detectable directly in spleen cell populations. By testing CTL on target cells containing expression vectors encoding individual retroviral structural proteins, the main viral protein recognized was shown to be the Friend murine leukemia helper virus envelope glycoprotein. In vivo depletion of CD8-positive T cells drastically reduced the incidence of recovery, providing direct evidence for the role of CD8-positive CTL in the spontaneous recovery process. In vivo depletion of CD4-positive cells had little effect on the early stages of recovery but did cause a marked reduction in the final incidence of recovery at 60 to 90 days. Thus, CD8-positive cells were required for the initiation of the recovery process, whereas CD4-positive cells appeared to be required for maintenance of the recovered status.

ts1, a temperature-sensitive mutant of Moloney murine leukemia virus TB, can infect both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells but requires CD4+ T cells in order to cause paralysis and immunodeficiency

When neonatal FVB/N mice were inoculated with ts1, a temperature-sensitive mutant of Moloney murine leukemia virus TB, they developed a progressive bilateral hindlimb paralysis and immunodeficiency leading to death 4 to 6 weeks after inoculation. T lymphocytes have been shown to be primarily responsible for this ts1-induced syndrome. Here we compare the role played by each subset of T lymphocytes, i.e., CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, in disease development. Mice were depleted of a specific subset for the first 10 days of their lives by using either anti-CD4 or anti-CD8 monoclonal antibodies in vivo. Disease development in these mice was then monitored. Depletion of CD4+ T cells significantly attenuated the ts1-induced syndrome: virus replication was decreased, disease latency was extended, and death was prevented in 60% of the mice. Similar treatment with anti-CD8 antibody had almost no effect on disease progression. However, when depletion was begun 2 weeks after neonatal ts1 inoculation, CD4+ T cell depletion did not affect disease development. ts1 infected CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes equally well in vivo, as shown by flow cytometric analysis, but virus replication was restricted primarily to the CD4+ subset of T cells, as found by in vitro assay. Hence, CD4+ T lymphocytes play an important role in the development of ts1-induced paralysis and immunodeficiency. The mechanism of this CD4+ T-cell-mediated disease production by ts1 is not clear; however, increased replication of ts1 in the CD4+ T cells, especially in the early stages of the disease, seems to play a crucial role.

Vaccination with a synthetic peptide modulates lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus-mediated immunopathology

Vaccination with a nucleopeptide (NP 118; amino acids 118 to 132) representing a cytotoxic T-cell epitope of lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) can modulate immunopathology. Immunization with NP 118 protected H-2d mice against intracerebral infection with the LCMV-ARMSTRONG isolate. However, when NP 118-primed H-2d mice were challenged intracerebrally with an intermediate dose (5 x 10(4) PFU) of the LCMV-DOCILE strain, all mice primed with NP 118 emulsified in incomplete Freund's adjuvant died, whereas unprimed mice survived. Correspondingly, peptide vaccination enhanced specifically the cytotoxic T-cell response, influencing the critical balance between T-cell response and virus spread.

Molecular anatomy of viral persistence

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