An optimized CD4 T-cell response can control productive and latent gammaherpesvirus infection

CD4+ Cytotoxic T cells - Phenotype, Function and Transcriptional Networks Controlling Their Differentiation Pathways

The two major subsets of peripheral T cells are classically divided into the CD4⁺ T helper cells and the cytotoxic CD8⁺ T cell lineage. However, the appearance of some effector CD4⁺ T cell populations displaying cytotoxic activity, in particular during viral infections, has been observed, thus breaking the functional dichotomy of CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T lymphocytes. The strong association of the appearance of CD4⁺ cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CD4 CTLs) with viral infections suggests an important role of this subset in antiviral immunity by controlling viral replication and infection. Moreover, CD4 CTLs have been linked with anti-tumor activity and might also cause immunopathology in autoimmune diseases. This raises interest into the molecular mechanisms regulating CD4 CTL differentiation, which are poorly understood in comparison to differentiation pathways of other Th subsets. In this review, we provide a brief overview about key features of CD4 CTLs, including their role in viral infections and cancer immunity, and about the link between CD4 CTLs and immune-mediated diseases. Subsequently, we will discuss the current knowledge about transcriptional and epigenetic networks controlling CD4 CTL differentiation and highlight recent data suggesting a role for histone deacetylases in the generation of CD4 CTLs.

T cell-intrinsic Interferon Regulatory Factor-1 expression suppresses differentiation of CD4+ T cell populations that support chronic gammaherpesvirus infection

Gammaherpesviruses are ubiquitous pathogens that establish life-long infection and are associated with B cell lymphomas. To establish chronic infection, these viruses usurp B cell differentiation and drive a robust germinal center response to expand the latent viral reservoir and gain access to memory B cells. Germinal center B cells, while important for the establishment of latent infection, are also thought to be the target of viral transformation. The host and viral factors that impact the gammaherpesvirus-driven germinal center response are not clearly defined. We showed that global expression of the antiviral and tumor-suppressor interferon regulatory factor 1 (IRF-1) selectively attenuates the murine gammaherpesvirus 68 (MHV68)-driven germinal center response and restricts expansion of the latent viral reservoir. In this study we found that T cell intrinsic IRF-1 expression recapitulates some aspects of antiviral state imposed by IRF-1 during chronic MHV68 infection, including attenuation of the germinal center response and viral latency in the spleen. We also discovered that global and T cell-intrinsic IRF-1 deficiency leads to unhindered rise of IL-17A-expressing and follicular helper T cell populations, two CD4⁺ T cell subsets that support chronic MHV68 infection. Thus, this study unveils a novel aspect of antiviral activity of IRF-1 by demonstrating IRF-1-mediated suppression of specific CD4⁺ T cell subsets that support chronic gammaherpesvirus infection. Importance Gammaherpesviruses infect over 95% of the adult population, last the lifetime of the host, and are associated with multiple cancers. These viruses usurp the germinal center response to establish lifelong infection in memory B cells. This manipulation of B cell differentiation by the virus is thought to contribute to lymphomagenesis, though exactly how the virus precipitates malignant transformation in vivo is unclear. IRF-1, a host transcription factor and a known tumor suppressor, restricts the MHV68-driven germinal center response in a B cell-extrinsic manner. We found that T cell intrinsic IRF-1 expression attenuates the MHV68-driven germinal center response by restricting the CD4⁺ T follicular helper population. Further, our study identified IRF-1 as a novel negative regulator of IL-17-driven immune responses, highlighting the multifaceted role of IRF-1 in gammaherpesvirus infection.

Interleukin 16 contributes to gammaherpesvirus pathogenesis by inhibiting viral reactivation

Gammaherpesviruses have evolved various strategies to take advantage of host cellular factors or signaling pathways to establish a lifelong latent infection. Like the human gammaherpesvirus Epstein-Barr virus, murine gammaherpesvirus 68 (MHV68) establishes and maintains latency in the memory B cells during infection of laboratory mice. We have previously shown that MHV68 can immortalize fetal liver-derived B cells that induce lymphomas when injected into immunodeficient mice. Here we identify interleukin 16 (IL16) as a most abundantly expressed cytokine in MHV68-immortalized B cells and show that MHV68 infection elevates IL16 expression. IL16 is not important for MHV68 lytic infection but plays a critical role in MHV68 reactivation from latency. IL16 deficiency increases MHV68 lytic gene expression in MHV68-immortalized B cells and enhances reactivation from splenic latency. Correlatively, IL16 deficiency increases the frequency of MHV68-infected plasma cells that can be attributed to enhanced MHV68 reactivation. Furthermore, similar to TPA-mediated lytic replication of Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus, IL16 deficiency markedly induces Tyr705 STAT3 de-phosphorylation and elevates p21 expression, which can be counteracted by the tyrosine phosphatase inhibitor orthovanadate. Importantly, orthovanadate strongly blocks MHV68 lytic gene expression mediated by IL16 deficiency. These data demonstrate that virus-induced IL16 does not directly participate in MHV68 lytic replication, but rather inhibits virus reactivation to facilitate latent infection, in part through the STAT3-p21 axis.

Immune protection is dependent on the gut microbiome in a lethal mouse gammaherpesviral infection

Immunopathogenesis in systemic viral infections can induce a septic state with leaky capillary syndrome, disseminated coagulopathy, and high mortality with limited treatment options. Murine gammaherpesvirus-68 (MHV-68) intraperitoneal infection is a gammaherpesvirus model for producing severe vasculitis, colitis and lethal hemorrhagic pneumonia in interferon gamma receptor-deficient (IFNγR-/-) mice. In prior work, treatment with myxomavirus-derived Serp-1 or a derivative peptide S-7 (G305TTASSDTAITLIPR319) induced immune protection, reduced disease severity and improved survival after MHV-68 infection. Here, we investigate the gut bacterial microbiome in MHV-68 infection. Antibiotic suppression markedly accelerated MHV-68 pathology causing pulmonary consolidation and hemorrhage, increased mortality and specific modification of gut microbiota. Serp-1 and S-7 reduced pulmonary pathology and detectable MHV-68 with increased CD3 and CD8 cells. Treatment efficacy was lost after antibiotic treatments with associated specific changes in the gut bacterial microbiota. In summary, transkingdom host-virus-microbiome interactions in gammaherpesvirus infection influences gammaherpesviral infection severity and reduces immune modulating therapeutic efficacy.

LXR Alpha Restricts Gammaherpesvirus Reactivation from Latently Infected Peritoneal Cells

Gammaherpesviruses are ubiquitous viruses that establish lifelong infections. Importantly, these viruses are associated with numerous cancers and lymphoproliferative diseases. While risk factors for developing gammaherpesvirus-driven cancers are poorly understood, it is clear that elevated viral reactivation from latency often precedes oncogenesis. Here, we demonstrate that the liver X receptor alpha isoform (LXRα) restricts gammaherpesvirus reactivation in an anatomic-site-specific manner. We have previously demonstrated that deficiency of both LXR isoforms (α and β) leads to an increase in fatty acid and cholesterol synthesis in primary macrophage cultures, with a corresponding increase in gammaherpesvirus replication. Interestingly, expression of fatty acid synthesis genes was not derepressed in LXRα-deficient hosts, indicating that the antiviral effects of LXRα are independent of lipogenesis. Additionally, the critical host defenses against gammaherpesvirus reactivation, virus-specific CD8⁺ T cells and interferon (IFN) signaling, remained intact in the absence of LXRα. Remarkably, using a murine gammaherpesvirus 68 (MHV68) reporter virus, we discovered that LXRα expression dictates the cellular tropism of MHV68 in the peritoneal cavity. Specifically, LXRα^-/- mice exhibit reduced latency within the peritoneal B cell compartment and elevated latency within F4/80⁺ cells. Thus, LXRα restricts gammaherpesvirus reactivation through a novel mechanism that is independent of the known CD8⁺ T cell-based antiviral responses or changes in lipid synthesis and likely involves changes in the tropism of MHV68 in the peritoneal cavity.IMPORTANCE Liver X receptors (LXRs) are nuclear receptors that mediate cholesterol and fatty acid homeostasis. Importantly, as ligand-activated transcription factors, LXRs represent potential targets for the treatment of hypercholesterolemia and atherosclerosis. Here, we demonstrate that LXRα, one of the two LXR isoforms, restricts reactivation of latent gammaherpesvirus from peritoneal cells. As gammaherpesviruses are ubiquitous oncogenic agents, LXRs may represent a targetable host factor for the treatment of poorly controlled gammaherpesvirus infection and associated lymphomagenesis.

Molecular Basis of the Differentiation and Function of Virus Specific Follicular Helper CD4+ T Cells

During viral infection, virus-specific follicular helper T cells provide important help to cognate B cells for their survival, consecutive proliferation and mutation and eventual differentiation into memory B cells and antibody-secreting plasma cells. Similar to Tfh cells generated in other conditions, the differentiation of virus-specific Tfh cells can also be characterized as a process involved multiple factors and stages, however, which also exhibits distinct features. Here, we mainly focus on the current understanding of Tfh fate commitment, functional maturation, lineage maintenance and memory transition and formation in the context of viral infection.

Advances in the Characterization of the T-Cell Response to Human Herpesvirus-6

Human herpesvirus (HHV) 6 is thought to remain clinically latent in most individuals after primary infection and to reactivate to cause disease in persons with severe immunosuppression. In allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients, reactivation of HHV-6 species B is a considerable cause of morbidity and mortality. HHV-6B reactivation is the most frequent cause of infectious meningoencephalitis in this setting and has been associated with a variety of other complications such as graft rejection and acute graft versus host disease. This has inspired efforts to develop HHV-6-targeted immunotherapies. Basic knowledge of HHV-6-specific adaptive immunity is crucial for these endeavors, but remains incomplete. Many studies have focused on specific HHV-6 antigens extrapolated from research on human cytomegalovirus, a genetically related betaherpesvirus. Challenges to the study of HHV-6-specific T-cell immunity include the very low frequency of HHV-6-specific memory T cells in chronically infected humans, the large genome size of HHV-6, and the lack of an animal model. This review will focus on emerging techniques and methodological improvements that are beginning to overcome these barriers. Population-prevalent antigens are now becoming clear for the CD4+ T-cell response, while definition and ranking of CD8+ T-cell antigens and epitopes is at an earlier stage. This review will discuss current knowledge of the T-cell response to HHV-6, new research approaches, and translation to clinical practice.

Functional heterogeneity in the CD4+ T cell response to murine γ-herpesvirus 68

CD4(+) T cells are critical for the control of virus infections, T cell memory, and immune surveillance. We studied the differentiation and function of murine γ-herpesvirus 68 (MHV-68)-specific CD4(+) T cells using gp150-specific TCR-transgenic mice. This allowed a more detailed study of the characteristics of the CD4(+) T cell response than did previously available approaches for this virus. Most gp150-specific CD4(+) T cells expressed T-bet and produced IFN-γ, indicating that MHV-68 infection triggered differentiation of CD4(+) T cells largely into the Th1 subset, whereas some became follicular Th cells and Foxp3(+) regulatory T cells. These CD4(+) T cells were protective against MHV-68 infection in the absence of CD8(+) T cells and B cells, and protection depended on IFN-γ secretion. Marked heterogeneity was observed in the CD4(+) T cells, based on lymphocyte Ag 6C (Ly6C) expression. Ly6C expression positively correlated with IFN-γ, TNF-α, and granzyme B production; T-bet and KLRG1 expression; proliferation; and CD4(+) T cell-mediated cytotoxicity. Ly6C expression inversely correlated with survival, CCR7 expression, and secondary expansion potential. Ly6C(+) and Ly6C(-) gp150-specific CD4(+) T cells were able to interconvert in a bidirectional manner upon secondary Ag exposure in vivo. These results indicate that Ly6C expression is closely associated with antiviral activity in effector CD4(+) T cells but is inversely correlated with memory potential. Interconversion between Ly6C(+) and Ly6C(-) cells may maintain a balance between the two Ag-specific CD4(+) T cell populations during MHV-68 infection. These findings have significant implications for Ly6C as a surface marker to distinguish functionally distinct CD4(+) T cells during persistent virus infection.

CD4 CTL: living up to the challenge

During thymic development, thymocytes expressing a T cell receptor consisting of an alpha and beta chain (TCRαβ), commit to either the cytotoxic- or T helper-lineage fate. This lineage dichotomy is controlled by key transcription factors, including the T helper (Th) lineage master regulator, the Th-inducing BTB/POZ domain-containing Kruppel-like zinc-finger transcription factor, ThPOK, (formally cKrox or Zfp67; encoded by Zbtb7b), which suppresses the cytolytic program in major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II-restricted CD4(+) thymocytes and the Runt related transcription factor 3 (Runx3), which counteracts ThPOK in MHC class I restricted precursor cells and promotes the lineage commitment of CD8αβ(+) cytolytic T lymphocytes (CTL). ThPOK continues to repress the CTL gene program in mature CD4(+) T cells, even as they differentiate into effector Th cell subsets. The Th cell fate however is not fixed and two recent studies showed that mature, antigen-stimulated CD4(+) T cells have the flexibility to terminate the expression of ThPOK and functionally reprogram to cytotoxic effector cells. This unexpected plasticity of CD4(+) T cells results in the post-thymic termination of the Th lineage fate and the functional differentiation of distinct MHC class II-restricted CD4(+) CTL. The recognition of CD4 CTL as a defined separate subset of effector cells and the identification of the mechanisms and factors that drive their reprogramming finally create new opportunities to explore the physiological relevance of these effector cells in vivo and to determine their pivotal roles in both, protective immunity as well as in immune-related pathology.

Adoptive transfer of cytomegalovirus-specific effector CD4+ T cells provides antiviral protection from murine CMV infection

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infects a majority of the human population and establishes a life-long persistence. CMV infection is usually asymptomatic but the virus carries pathogenic potential and causes severe disease in immunocompromised individuals. T-cell-mediated immunity plays an essential role in control of CMV infection and adoptive transfer of CMV-specific CD8(+) T cells restores viral immunity in immunosuppressed patients but a role for CD4(+) T cells remains elusive. Here, we analyzed in adoptive transfer studies the features and antiviral functions of virus-specific CD4(+) T cells during primary murine CMV (MCMV) infection. MCMV-specific CD4(+) T cells expanded upon MCMV infection and displayed an effector phenotype and function. Adoptive transfer of in vivo activated MCMV-specific CD4(+) T cells to immune-compromised mice was protective during pathogenic MCMV infection and IFN-γ was a crucial mediator of this protective capacity. Moreover, co-transfer of low doses of both MCMV-specific CD4(+) T cells and CD8(+) T cells synergized in control of lytic viral replication in immune-compromised mice. Our data reveal a pivotal antiviral role for virus-specific CD4(+) T cells in protection from pathogenic CMV infection and provide evidence for their antiviral therapeutic potential.

CD4 and CD8 T cells directly recognize murine gammaherpesvirus 68-immortalized cells and prevent tumor outgrowth

There has been extensive research regarding T cell recognition of Epstein-Barr virus-transformed cells; however, less is known regarding the recognition of B cells immortalized by gamma-2 herpesviruses. Here we show that B cells immortalized by murine gammaherpesvirus 68 (MHV-68, γHV-68) can be controlled by either CD4 or CD8 T cells in vivo. We present evidence for the direct recognition of infected B cells by CD4 and CD8 T cells. These data will help in the development of immunotherapeutic approaches combating gamma-2 herpesvirus-related disease.

Immunotherapy of human papilloma virus induced disease

Immunotherapy is the generic name for treatment modalities aiming to reinforce the immune system against diseases in which the immune system plays a role. The design of an optimal immunotherapeutic treatment against chronic viruses and associated diseases requires a detailed understanding of the interactions between the target virus and its host, in order to define the specific strategies that may have the best chance to deliver success at each stage of disease. Recently, a first series of successes was reported for the immunotherapy of Human Papilloma Virus (HPV)-induced premalignant diseases but there is definitely room for improvement. Here I discuss a number of topics that in my opinion require more study as the answers to these questions allows us to better understand the underlying mechanisms of disease and as such to tailor treatment.

Herpesviruses placating the unwilling host: manipulation of the MHC class II antigen presentation pathway

Lifelong persistent infection by herpesviruses depends on the balance between host immune responses and viral immune evasion. CD4 T cells responding to antigens presented on major histocompatibility complex class II (MHC-II) molecules are known to play an important role in controlling herpesvirus infections. Here we review, with emphasis on human herpesvirus infections, the strategies evolved to evade CD4 T cell immunity. These viruses target multiple points on the MHC class II antigen presentation pathway. The mechanisms include: suppression of CIITA to inhibit the synthesis of MHC class II molecules, diversion or degradation of HLA-DR molecules during membrane transport, and direct targeting of the invariant chain chaperone of HLA-DR.

Murine gammaherpesvirus 68 infection protects lupus-prone mice from the development of autoimmunity

Gammaherpesvirus infections, such as those caused by EBV, have been suggested to promote the development of autoimmunity. To test this idea, we infected healthy WT and lupus-prone B6.Sle123 mice with an EBV-related and rodent-specific gammaherpesvirus, γHV68. Although acute γHV68 infection increased autoantibody levels for 4 to 6 wk, latent infection inhibited these responses for 1 y. The inhibition of autoantibody expression was only observed in B6.Sle123 females and not in males, which already displayed lower autoantibody titers. Contrary to the initial hypothesis, infection of young B6.Sle123 mice, both male and female, resulted in suppression of lymphoid activation and expansion and of glomerular inflammation and sclerosis, preserving kidney function. Moreover, γHV68 infection led to reduced autoantibody titers, lymphoid activation, and glomerular inflammation whether lupus-prone females were infected before or during disease manifestation. Finally, γHV68 infection also inhibited autoantibody production in the genetically distinct MRL/lpr lupus-prone mice. Our findings indicate that γHV68 infection strongly inhibits the development and progression of lupus-like disease in mice that spontaneously develop this condition mediating its beneficial effects at the humoral, cellular, and organ levels. The mechanisms by which the virus exerts this down-modulatory action are not yet clear, but appear to operate via reduced activation of dendritic cells, T cells, and B cells. Gammaherpesviruses coevolved with the vertebrate immune systems, establishing lifelong infections in humans and other mammals. Our findings that γHV68 infection prevents rather than exacerbates autoimmunity in mice suggest that infection with gammaherpesviruses may be protective rather than pathological in most individuals.

Expanding roles for CD4⁺ T cells in immunity to viruses

CD4⁺ T cells are orchestrators, regulators and direct effectors of antiviral immunity.

Neutralizing antibodies provide protection against many viral pathogens, and CD4⁺ T cells can help B cells to generate stronger and longer-lived antibody responses.

CD4⁺ T cells help antiviral CD8⁺ T cells in two main ways: they maximize CD8⁺ T cell population expansion during a primary immune response and also facilitate the generation of virus-specific memory CD8⁺ T cell populations.

In addition to their helper functions, CD4⁺ T cells contribute directly to viral clearance. They secrete cytokines with antiviral activities and, in some circumstances, can eliminate infected cells through cytotoxic killing.

Memory CD4⁺ T cells provide superior protection during re-infection with a virus. Compared with new effector CD4⁺ T cells, memory CD4⁺ T cells have enhanced helper and effector functions and can rapidly trigger innate immune defence mechanisms early in the infection.

Immunity to viruses is typically associated with the development of cytotoxic CD8⁺ T cells. However, CD4⁺ T cells are also important for protection during viral infection. Here, the authors describe the various ways in which different CD4⁺T cell subsets can contribute to the antiviral immune response.

Viral pathogens often induce strong effector CD4⁺ T cell responses that are best known for their ability to help B cell and CD8⁺ T cell responses. However, recent studies have uncovered additional roles for CD4⁺ T cells, some of which are independent of other lymphocytes, and have described previously unappreciated functions for memory CD4⁺ T cells in immunity to viruses. Here, we review the full range of antiviral functions of CD4⁺ T cells, discussing the activities of these cells in helping other lymphocytes and in inducing innate immune responses, as well as their direct antiviral roles. We suggest that all of these functions of CD4⁺ T cells are integrated to provide highly effective immune protection against viral pathogens.

Specific mutation of a gammaherpesvirus-expressed antigen in response to CD8 T cell selection in vivo

Herpesviruses are thought to be highly genetically stable, and their use as vaccine vectors has been proposed. However, studies of the human gammaherpesvirus, Epstein-Barr virus, have found viral isolates containing mutations in HLA class I-restricted epitopes. Using murine gammaherpesvirus 68 expressing ovalbumin (OVA), we examined the stability of a gammaherpesvirus antigenic locus under strong CD8 T cell selection in vivo. OVA-specific CD8 T cells selected viral isolates containing mutations in the OVA locus but minimal alterations in other genomic regions. Thus, a CD8 T cell response to a gammaherpesvirus-expressed antigen that is not essential for replication or pathogenesis can result in selective mutation of that antigen in vivo. This finding may have relevance for the use of herpesvirus vectors for chronic antigen expression in vivo.

Malignant catarrhal fever induced by Alcelaphine herpesvirus 1 is characterized by an expansion of activated CD3+CD8+CD4- T cells expressing a cytotoxic phenotype in both lymphoid and non-lymphoid tissues

Alcelaphine herpesvirus 1 (AlHV-1) is carried by wildebeest asymptomatically. It causes a fatal lymphoproliferative disease named wildebeest-derived malignant catarrhal fever (WD-MCF) when cross-species transmitted to a variety of susceptible species of the Artiodactyla order. WD-MCF can be reproduced experimentally in rabbits. In a previous report, we demonstrated that WD-MCF induced by AlHV-1 is associated with a severe proliferation of CD8(+) T cells in the lymphoid tissues. Here, we further studied the mononuclear leukocytic populations in both the lymphoid (throughout the infection and at time of euthanasia) and non-lymphoid (at time of euthanasia) organs during WD-MCF induced experimentally in rabbits. To reach that goal, we performed multi-colour flow cytometry stainings. The results obtained demonstrate that the development of WD-MCF correlates in peripheral blood with a severe increase of CD8(+) cell percentages; and that CD3(+)CD8(+)CD4(-) T cells were the predominant cell type in both lymphoid and non-lymphoid organs at time of euthanasia. Further characterization of the mononuclear leukocytes isolated from both lymphoid and non-lymphoid tissues revealed that the CD8(+) T cells express high levels of the activation markers CD25 and CD44, produce high amount of gamma-interferon (IFN-γ) and perforin, and showed a reduction of interleukin-2 (IL-2) gene expression. These data demonstrate that the development of WD-MCF is associated with the expansion and infiltration of activated and cytotoxic CD3(+)CD8(+)CD4(-) T cells secreting high amount of IFN-γ but low IL-2.

Pathogenesis and host control of gammaherpesviruses: lessons from the mouse

Gammaherpesviruses are lymphotropic viruses that are associated with the development of lymphoproliferative diseases, lymphomas, as well as other nonlymphoid cancers. Most known gammaherpesviruses establish latency in B lymphocytes. Research on Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) and murine gammaherpesvirus 68 (MHV68/γHV68/MHV4) has revealed a complex relationship between virus latency and the stage of B cell differentiation. Available data support a model in which gammaherpesvirus infection drives B cell proliferation and differentiation. In general, the characterized gammaherpesviruses exhibit a very narrow host tropism, which has severely limited studies on the human gammaherpesviruses EBV and Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus. As such, there has been significant interest in developing animal models in which the pathogenesis of gammaherpesviruses can be characterized. MHV68 represents a unique model to define the effects of chronic viral infection on the antiviral immune response.

Induction of TGF-beta 1, not regulatory T cells, impairs antiviral immunity in the lung following bone marrow transplant

Patients receiving hematopoietic stem cell transplantation or bone marrow transplantation (BMT) as therapy for various malignancies or autoimmune diseases have an increased risk for infectious complications posttransplant, especially in the lung. We have used BMT in mice and murine gammaherpesvirus, gammaHV-68, to study the efficacy of adaptive immune responses post-BMT. Five weeks posttransplant, mice have fully reconstituted their hematopoietic lineages in both the lung and periphery. When challenged with virus, however, BMT mice have a reduced ability to clear lytic virus from the lung. Defective viral control in BMT mice is not related to impaired leukocyte recruitment or defective APC function. Rather, BMT mice are characterized by defective CD4 cell proliferation, skewing of effector CD4 T cells from a Th1 to a Th17 phenotype, and an immunosuppressive lung environment at the time of infection that includes overexpression of TGF-beta1 and PGE(2) and increased numbers of regulatory T cells. Neither indomethacin treatment to block PG synthesis nor anti-CD25 depletion of regulatory T cells improved antiviral host defense post-BMT. Transplanting mice with transgenic bone marrow expressing a dominant-negative TGF-betaRII under the permissive CD4 promoter created mice in which effector CD4 and CD8 cells were unresponsive to TGF-beta1. Mice with TGF-beta1-nonresponsive effector T cells had restored antiviral immunity and improved Th1 responses post-BMT. Thus, our results indicate that overexpression of TGF-beta1 following myeloablative conditioning post-BMT results in impaired effector T cell responses to viral infection.

Persistent gamma-herpesvirus infection induces a CD4 T cell response containing functionally distinct effector populations

The direct effector mechanisms of CD4 T cells during gamma-herpesvirus 68 (gammaHV68)-persistent infection are less well understood than those of their CD8 T cell counterparts, although there is substantial evidence that CD4 T cells are critical for the control of persistent gamma-herpesvirus infection. Our results show that in gammaHV68-persistently infected mice, CD4 T cells are not cytokine polyfunctional, but there is a division of labor in the CD4 T cell compartment in which CD4 T cells polarize toward two distinct populations with different effector functions: IFN-gamma producers and CD107(+) cytolytic effectors. These two CD4 T cell effector populations degranulate and produce IFN-gamma during steady state without need for exogenous antigenic restimulation, which is fundamentally different from that observed with gammaHV68-specific CD8 T cells. By using anti-IFN-gamma Ab depletions and IFN-gamma-deficient mice, we show that CD4 T cell-mediated cytotoxicity in vivo is not dependent on IFN-gamma activity. In addition, our data show that purified CD4 T cells isolated from gammaHV68-latently infected mice have the capacity to inhibit gammaHV68 reactivation from latency. Our results support the concept that CD4 T cells are critical effectors for the control of gamma-herpesvirus latent infection, and they mediate this effect by two independent mechanisms: IFN-gamma production and cytotoxicity.

Cutting edge: polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid boosts the generation of memory CD8 T cells through melanoma differentiation-associated protein 5 expressed in stromal cells

Polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid (poly I:C), a synthetic analog of double-stranded viral RNA, serves as a potent adjuvant for vaccination against soluble proteins, pathogens, and tumors. Poly I:C is sensed by both TLR3 in the endosomes and melanoma differentiation-associated protein 5 (MDA5) in the cytoplasm. Although it is known that TLR3 is required for cross-priming of CD8 T cells specific for viral Ags, the role of MDA5 in inducing CD8 T cell responses is still unclear. In this study, we demonstrate that in mice lacking MDA5, the majority of CD8 T cells do not survive after primary immunization with poly I:C and Ag, impairing memory response to subsequent Ag challenge. Furthermore, bone marrow chimera experiments revealed that MDA5 expression in radiation-resistant stromal cells, but not in radiation-sensitive hematopoietic cells, is essential for establishing CD8 T cell memory. We conclude that MDA5 and TLR3 mediate substantially distinct yet complementary functions during poly I:C-mediated activation of Ag-specific CD8 T cell responses.

Race between retroviral spread and CD4+ T-cell response determines the outcome of acute Friend virus infection

Retroviruses can establish persistent infection despite induction of a multipartite antiviral immune response. Whether collective failure of all parts of the immune response or selective deficiency in one crucial part underlies the inability of the host to clear retroviral infections is currently uncertain. We examine here the contribution of virus-specific CD4(+) T cells in resistance against Friend virus (FV) infection in the murine host. We show that the magnitude and duration of the FV-specific CD4(+) T-cell response is directly proportional to resistance against acute FV infection and subsequent disease. Notably, significant protection against FV-induced disease is afforded by FV-specific CD4(+) T cells in the absence of a virus-specific CD8(+) T-cell or B-cell response. Enhanced spread of FV infection in hosts with increased genetic susceptibility or coinfection with Lactate dehydrogenase-elevating virus (LDV) causes a proportional increase in the number of FV-specific CD4(+) T cells required to control FV-induced disease. Furthermore, ultimate failure of FV/LDV coinfected hosts to control FV-induced disease is accompanied by accelerated contraction of the FV-specific CD4(+) T-cell response. Conversely, an increased frequency or continuous supply of FV-specific CD4(+) T cells is both necessary and sufficient to effectively contain acute infection and prevent disease, even in the presence of coinfection. Thus, these results suggest that FV-specific CD4(+) T cells provide significant direct protection against acute FV infection, the extent of which critically depends on the ratio of FV-infected cells to FV-specific CD4(+) T cells.

Immune control of mammalian gamma-herpesviruses: lessons from murid herpesvirus-4

Many acute viral infections can be controlled by vaccination; however, vaccinating against persistent infections remains problematic. Herpesviruses are a classic example. Here, we discuss their immune control, particularly that of gamma-herpesviruses, relating the animal model provided by murid herpesvirus-4 (MuHV-4) to human infections. The following points emerge: (i) CD8(+) T-cell evasion by herpesviruses confers a prominent role in host defence on CD4(+) T cells. CD4(+) T cells inhibit MuHV-4 lytic gene expression via gamma-interferon (IFN-gamma). By reducing the lytic secretion of immune evasion proteins, they may also help CD8(+) T cells to control virus-driven lymphoproliferation in mixed lytic/latent lesions. Similarly, CD4(+) T cells specific for Epstein-Barr virus lytic antigens could improve the impact of adoptively transferred, latent antigen-specific CD8(+) T cells. (ii) In general, viral immune evasion necessitates multiple host effectors for optimal control. Thus, subunit vaccines, which tend to prime single effectors, have proved less successful than attenuated virus mutants, which prime multiple effectors. Latency-deficient mutants could make safe and effective gamma-herpesvirus vaccines. (iii) The antibody response to MuHV-4 infection helps to prevent disease but is suboptimal for neutralization. Vaccinating virus carriers with virion fusion complex components improves their neutralization titres. Reducing the infectivity of herpesvirus carriers in this way could be a useful adjunct to vaccinating naive individuals with attenuated mutants.

Conserved herpesviral kinase promotes viral persistence by inhibiting the IRF-3-mediated type I interferon response

A conserved herpesviral kinase, designated ORF36 in murine gamma-herpesvirus 68 (MHV-68), plays multiple vital roles in the viral life cycle. Here, we show by screening mutant viruses that ORF36 counteracts the antiviral type I interferon (IFN) response. ORF36 specifically binds to the activated form of interferon regulatory factor 3 (IRF-3) in the nucleus, inhibiting IRF-3 interaction with the cotranscriptional activator CBP and thereby suppressing the recruitment of RNA polymerase II to the interferon beta promoter. The anti-IFN function of ORF36 is conserved among herpesvirus subfamilies, although the conserved kinase activity is not absolutely required for this function. MHV-68 lacking ORF36 induces a greater interferon response and is attenuated in vitro and in vivo, where acute viral infection in the lung and latency in the spleen are compromised. Our data suggest that herpesviruses have evolved within their conserved kinase an anti-IFN activity critical for evasion of host immunity and for persistence.

CD4 T cells mediate killing during persistent gammaherpesvirus 68 infection

CD4 T cells are critical for the control of gammaherpesvirus persistence, but their direct effector mechanisms of virus control in vivo are still poorly understood. In this study, we use murine gammaherpesvirus 68 (gammaHV68) in in vitro and in vivo cytotoxicity assays to show CD4-dependent killing of gammaHV68-loaded cells in mice persistently infected with gammaHV68. Our results underscore the cytotoxic capacity of CD4 T cells during gammaHV68 persistence.

Blockade of virus infection by human CD4+ T cells via a cytokine relay network

CD4(+) T cells directly participate in bacterial clearance through secretion of proinflammatory cytokines. Although viral clearance relies heavily on CD8(+) T cell functions, we sought to determine whether human CD4(+) T cells could also directly influence viral clearance through cytokine secretion. We found that IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha, secreted by IL-12-polarized Th1 cells, displayed potent antiviral effects against a variety of viruses. IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha acted directly to inhibit hepatitis C virus replication in an in vitro replicon system, and neutralization of both cytokines was required to block the antiviral activity that was secreted by Th1 cells. IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha also exerted antiviral effects against vesicular stomatitis virus infection, but in this case, functional type I IFN receptor activity was required. Thus, in cases of vesicular stomatitis virus infection, the combination of IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha secreted by human Th1 cells acted indirectly through the IFN-alpha/beta receptor. These results highlight the importance of CD4(+) T cells in directly regulating antiviral responses through proinflammatory cytokines acting in both a direct and indirect manner.

A gammaherpesvirus-secreted activator of Vbeta4+ CD8+ T cells regulates chronic infection and immunopathology

Little is known about herpesvirus modulation of T cell activation in latently infected individuals or the implications of such for chronic immune disorders. Murine gammaherpesvirus 68 (MHV68) elicits persistent activation of CD8(+) T cells bearing a Vbeta4(+) T cell receptor (TCR) by a completely unknown mechanism. We show that a novel MHV68 protein encoded by the M1 gene is responsible for Vbeta4(+) CD8(+) T cell stimulation in a manner reminiscent of a viral superantigen. During infection, M1 expression induces a Vbeta4(+) effector T cell response that resists functional exhaustion and appears to suppress virus reactivation from peritoneal cells by means of long-term interferon-gamma (IFNgamma) production. Mice lacking an IFNgamma receptor (IFNgammaR(-/-)) fail to control MHV68 replication, and Vbeta4(+) and CD8(+) T cell activation by M1 instead contributes to severe inflammation and multiorgan fibrotic disease. Thus, M1 manipulates the host CD8(+) T cell response in a manner that facilitates latent infection in an immunocompetent setting, but promotes disease during a dysregulated immune response. Identification of a viral pathogenecity determinant with superantigen-like activity for CD8(+) T cells broadens the known repertoire of viral immunomodulatory molecules, and its function illustrates the delicate balance achieved between persistent viruses and the host immune response.

A replication-deficient murine gamma-herpesvirus blocked in late viral gene expression can establish latency and elicit protective cellular immunity

The human gamma-herpesviruses, EBV and Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus, are widely disseminated and are associated with the onset of a variety of malignancies. Thus, the development of prophylactic and therapeutic vaccination strategies is an important goal. The experimental mouse gamma-herpesvirus, gammaHV68 (or MHV-68), has provided an in vivo model for studying immune control of these persistent viruses. In the current studies, we have examined infectivity, immunogenicity, and protective efficacy following infection with a replication-deficient gammaHV68 blocked in late viral gene expression, ORF31STOP. The data show that ORF31STOP was able to latently infect B cells. However, the anatomical site and persistence of the infection depended on the route of inoculation, implicating a role for viral replication in viral spread but not the infectivity per se. Furthermore, i.p. infection with ORF31STOP elicited strong cellular immunity but a non-neutralizing Ab response. In contrast, intranasal infection was poorly immunogenic. Consistent with this, mice infected i.p. had enhanced control of both the lytic and latent viral loads following challenge with wild-type gammaHV68, whereas intranasal infected mice were not protected. These data provide important insight into mechanisms of infection and protective immunity for the gamma-herpesviruses and demonstrate the utility of replication-deficient mutant viruses in direct testing of "proof of principal" vaccination strategies.

Recombinant murine gammaherpesvirus 68 (MHV-68) as challenge virus to test efficacy of vaccination against chronic virus infections in the mouse model

Efficient vaccines against AIDS, Hepatitis C and other persistent virus infections are urgently needed. Vaccine development has been especially hampered by the lack of suitable small animal models to reliably test the protective capacity of candidate vaccines against such chronic viral infections. A natural mouse pathogen such as MHV-68 that persists lifelong after infection, appears to be a particularly promising candidate for a more relevant model system. Here, we investigated infections with recombinant MHV-68 as novel mouse challenge model to test the efficacy of heterologous vaccines based on recombinant modified vaccinia virus Ankara (MVA). To apply ovalbumin (OVA) as a model antigen, we constructed the recombinant virus MHV-68-OVA by BAC technology and characterized genetic stability and replicative capacity of the virus in vitro and in vivo. We demonstrated the ability of MHV-68-OVA to produce ovalbumin upon tissue culture infection. Moreover, the use of MHV-68-OVA-infected target cells allowed for efficient ex vivo amplification of OVA-specific, MHC class I-restricted CD8 T cells derived from MVA-OVA-vaccinated C57BL/6 mice. Finally, we immunized C57BL/6 mice with MVA-OVA and challenged the animals with MHV-68-OVA testing different time points and routes of infection. Vaccinated mice were infected with MHV-68-OVA but showed reduced viral loads in the acute and latent phase of challenge infection. These data strongly suggest the usefulness of the MHV-68 challenge model for further evaluation of recombinant vaccines against persisting virus infections.

Antigen-loading compartments for major histocompatibility complex class II molecules continuously receive input from autophagosomes

Major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II molecules present products of lysosomal proteolysis to CD4(+) T cells. Although extracellular antigen uptake is considered to be the main source of MHC class II ligands, a few intracellular antigens have been described to gain access to MHC class II loading after macroautophagy. However, the general relevance and efficacy of this pathway is unknown. Here we demonstrated constitutive autophagosome formation in MHC class II-positive cells, including dendritic, B, and epithelial cells. The autophagosomes continuously fuse with multivesicular MHC class II-loading compartments. This pathway was of functional relevance, because targeting of the influenza matrix protein 1 to autophagosomes via fusion to the autophagosome-associated protein Atg8/LC3 led to strongly enhanced MHC class II presentation to CD4(+) T cell clones. We suggest that macroautophagy constitutively and efficiently delivers cytosolic proteins for MHC class II presentation and can be harnessed for improved helper T cell stimulation.

CD4+ T cells specific for a model latency-associated antigen fail to control a gammaherpesvirusin vivo

CD4(+) T cells play a major role in containing herpesvirus infections. However, their cellular targets remain poorly defined. In vitro CD4(+) T cells have been reported to kill B cells that harbor a latent gammaherpesvirus. We used the B cell-tropic murine gammaherpesvirus-68 (MHV-68) to test whether this also occurred in vivo. MHV-68 that expressed cytoplasmic ovalbumin (OVA) in tandem with its episome maintenance protein, ORF73, stimulated CD8(+) T cells specific for the H2-K(b)-restricted OVA epitope SIINFEKL and was rapidly eliminated from C57BL/6 (H2(b)) mice. However, the same virus failed to stimulate CD4(+) T cells specific for the I-A(d)/I-A(b)-restricted OVA(323-339) epitope. We overcame any barrier to the MHC class II-restricted presentation of an endogenous epitope by substituting OVA(323-339) for the CLIP peptide of the invariant chain (ORF73-IRES-Ii-OVA), again expressed in tandem with ORF73. This virus presented OVA(323-339) but showed little or no latency deficit in either BALB/c (H2(d)) or C57BL/6 mice. Latent antigen-specific CD4(+) T cells therefore either failed to recognize key virus-infected cell populations in vivo or lacked the effector functions required to control them.

CD4+ T-cell responses are required for clearance of West Nile virus from the central nervous system

Although studies have established that innate and adaptive immune responses are important in controlling West Nile virus (WNV) infection, the function of CD4(+) T lymphocytes in modulating viral pathogenesis is less well characterized. Using a mouse model, we examined the role of CD4(+) T cells in coordinating protection against WNV infection. A genetic or acquired deficiency of CD4(+) T cells resulted in a protracted WNV infection in the central nervous system (CNS) that culminated in uniform lethality by 50 days after infection. Mice surviving past day 10 had high-level persistent WNV infection in the CNS compared to wild-type mice, even 45 days following infection. The absence of CD4(+) T-cell help did not affect the kinetics of WNV infection in the spleen and serum, suggesting a role for CD4-independent clearance mechanisms in peripheral tissues. WNV-specific immunoglobulin M (IgM) levels were similar to those of wild-type mice in CD4-deficient mice early during infection but dropped approximately 20-fold at day 15 postinfection, whereas IgG levels in CD4-deficient mice were approximately 100- to 1,000-fold lower than in wild-type mice throughout the course of infection. WNV-specific CD8(+) T-cell activation and trafficking to the CNS were unaffected by the absence of CD4(+) T cells at day 9 postinfection but were markedly compromised at day 15. Our experiments suggest that the dominant protective role of CD4(+) T cells during primary WNV infection is to provide help for antibody responses and sustain WNV-specific CD8(+) T-cell responses in the CNS that enable viral clearance.

Antibody-independent control of gamma-herpesvirus latency via B cell induction of anti-viral T cell responses

B cells can use antibody-dependent mechanisms to control latent viral infections. It is unknown whether this represents the sole function of B cells during chronic viral infection. We report here that hen egg lysozyme (HEL)-specific B cells can contribute to the control of murine gamma-herpesvirus 68 (gammaHV68) latency without producing anti-viral antibody. HEL-specific B cells normalized defects in T cell numbers and proliferation observed in B cell-/- mice during the early phase of gammaHV68 latency. HEL-specific B cells also reversed defects in CD8 and CD4 T cell cytokine production observed in B cell-/- mice, generating CD8 and CD4 T cells necessary for control of latency. Furthermore, HEL-specific B cells were able to present virally encoded antigen to CD8 T cells. Therefore, B cells have antibody independent functions, including antigen presentation, that are important for control of gamma-herpesvirus latency. Exploitation of this property of B cells may allow enhanced vaccine responses to chronic virus infection.

A gamma-herpesvirus deficient in replication establishes chronic infection in vivo and is impervious to restriction by adaptive immune cells

Chronic gamma-herpesvirus infection is a dynamic process involving latent infection, reactivation from latency, and low level persistent replication. The gamma-herpesviruses maintain latent infection in restricted subsets of hematopoietic cells as a result of an intricate balance between host factors that suppress infection and viral factors that facilitate evasion of the immune response. Immune effectors limit reactivation and subsequent replication events, and the adaptive immune response ultimately restricts infection to a level compatible with life-long infection. However, it has not been possible to determine whether the immune system constrains chronic infection by directly targeting latently infected cells in vivo due to the complex nature of chronic infection. To begin to address this issue, we generated a murine gamma-herpesvirus 68 (gammaHV68) deficient in its ability to replicate or undergo reactivation from latency via a mutation in the single-stranded DNA binding protein encoded by ORF6. Even in the absence of lytic replication, this virus established long-term infection in peritoneal cells of wild-type mice at levels identical to that of wild-type gammaHV68, and generated an immune response that was sufficient to protect against secondary challenge with wild-type gammaHV68. Nevertheless, the number of latently infected cells was not significantly altered in mice deficient in T cells or both T cells and B cells, demonstrating that the adaptive immune system is incapable of altering infection with a virus lacking the capacity for lytic replication and reactivation from latency. Thus, these data support the conclusion that latency is immunologically silent.

Autophagy and antigen presentation

CD4(+) T cells co-ordinate adaptive immunity and are required for immunological memory establishment and maintenance. They are thought to primarily recognize extracellular antigens, which are endocytosed, processed by lysosomal proteases and then presented on major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II. However, recent studies have demonstrated that viral, tumour and autoantigens can gain access to this antigen presentation pathway from within cells by autophagy. This review will discuss the autophagic pathways that contribute to endogenous MHC class II antigen processing. Furthermore, potential characteristics of autophagy substrates, qualifying them to access these pathways, and regulation of autophagy will be considered. Finally, I will suggest how antigen presentation after autophagy might contribute to immune surveillance of infected and transformed cells.

Effective control of chronic gamma-herpesvirus infection by unconventional MHC Class Ia-independent CD8 T cells

Control of virus infection is mediated in part by major histocompatibility complex (MHC) Class Ia presentation of viral peptides to conventional CD8 T cells. Although important, the absolute requirement for MHC Class Ia–dependent CD8 T cells for control of chronic virus infection has not been formally demonstrated. We show here that mice lacking MHC Class Ia molecules (K^b−/−xD^b−/− mice) effectively control chronic γ-herpesvirus 68 (γHV68) infection via a robust expansion of β₂-microglobulin (β₂-m)-dependent, but CD1d-independent, unconventional CD8 T cells. These unconventional CD8 T cells expressed: (1) CD8αβ and CD3, (2) cell surface molecules associated with conventional effector/memory CD8 T cells, (3) TCRαβ with a significant Vβ4, Vβ3, and Vβ10 bias, and (4) the key effector cytokine interferon-γ (IFNγ). Unconventional CD8 T cells utilized a diverse TCR repertoire, and CDR3 analysis suggests that some of that repertoire may be utilized even in the presence of conventional CD8 T cells. This is the first demonstration to our knowledge that β₂-m–dependent, but Class Ia–independent, unconventional CD8 T cells can efficiently control chronic virus infection, implicating a role for β₂-n–dependent non-classical MHC molecules in control of chronic viral infection. We speculate that similar unconventional CD8 T cells may be able to control of other chronic viral infections, especially when viruses evade immunity by inhibiting generation of Class Ia–restricted T cells.

In this paper the authors identify a β2-microglobulin–dependent but major histocompatibility complex (MHC) Class Ia– and CD1-independent class of CD8 T cells that effectively control chronic γ-herpesvirus infection in mice. The important point that should be of general interest to the readers of PLoS Pathogens is that an effective CD8 T cell response develops during chronic infection of mice lacking MHC Class Ia molecules. Enormous efforts have gone into characterizing the role of conventional CD8 T cells that recognize viral peptides together with MHC Class Ia molecules during chronic viral infection, and many vaccine approaches focus solely on this response. This paper shows that additional types of CD8 T cells can operate during chronic infection, and that indeed, conventional MHC Class Ia–restricted T cells may be dispensable for control of chronic herpesvirus infection. The authors believe this is a fundamentally important point because it raises the question of whether unconventional CD8 T cells are important for control of other chronic viral infections such as infection with HIV, Hepatitis C virus, Hepatitis B virus, or human herpesviruses.

Virus-specific CD4+ T cells: ready for direct attack

CD4⁺ T cells are classically thought to orchestrate adaptive immune responses. But recent studies demonstrate that they can also kill infected cells directly. A new paper shows that highly efficient processing of Epstein Barr virus (EBV) glycoproteins for presentation on MHC class II makes virus-transformed B cells susceptible to lysis by CD4⁺ T cells. Thus, antiviral vaccines should aim to stimulate both helper and cytolytic CD4⁺ T cells.

Immune surveillance of intracellular pathogens via autophagy

MHC class II molecules are thought to present peptides derived from extracellular proteins to CD4+ T cells, which are important mediators of adaptive immunity to infections. In contrast, autophagy delivers constitutively cytosolic material for lysosomal degradation and has so far been recognized as an efficient mechanism of innate immunity against bacteria and viruses. Recent studies, however, link these two pathways and suggest that intracellular cytosolic and nuclear antigens are processed for MHC class II presentation after autophagy.

Autophagy in innate and adaptive immunity against intracellular pathogens

Autophagy delivers cytoplasmic constituents for lysosomal degradation. Recent studies have demonstrated that this pathway mediates resistance to pathogens and is targeted for immune evasion by viruses and bacteria. Lysosomal degradation products, including pathogenic determinants, are then surveyed by the adaptive immune system to elicit antigen-specific T cell responses. CD4(+) T helper cells have been shown to recognize nuclear and cytosolic antigens via presentation by major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II molecules after autophagy. Furthermore, some sources of natural MHC class II ligands display characteristics of autophagy substrates, and autophagosomes fuse with late endosomes, in which MHC class II loading is thought to occur. Although MHC class II antigen processing via autophagy has so far mainly been described for professional antigen-presenting cells like B cells, macrophages, and dendritic cells, it might be even more important for cells with less endocytic potential, like epithelial cells, when these express MHC class II at sites of inflammation. Therefore, autophagy might contribute to immune surveillance of intracellular pathogens via MHC class II presentation of intracellular pathogen-derived peptides.

Pathology of immunodeficient mice with naturally occurring murine norovirus infection

Murine norovirus (MNV) was recently discovered in Rag2-/-/Stat1-/- mice in a U.S. medical research facility. Presently, little is known concerning the epidemiology and natural history of this virus. We studied the pathology of naturally occurring MNV infection in 28 immunodeficient mice of several different genotypes (Rag1-/-/IFNgamma R-/-, OT1 Rag1-/-/IFNgamma R-/-, OT2 Rag1-/-/IFNgamma R-/-, Rag1-/-/Stat1-/-, and Rag2-/-) that were maintained in two U.S. research facilities. The mice were selected for study because sentinel mice housed in their holding rooms had been identified as positive for MNV-specific antibodies during routine screening for infectious agents. Our data indicate that in certain lines of immunodeficient mice, MNV can establish a disseminated infection that is characteristically associated with inflammation in multiple tissues, including liver (hepatitis), lung (focal interstitial pneumonia) and the peritoneal and pleural cavities. In addition, MNV can establish an asymptomatic infection in the mesenteric lymph nodes of Rag2-/- mice. Further studies are needed to determine whether MNV presents a confounding variable in immunological, toxicological and pathological studies in mice naturally infected with MNV.

Murine gammaherpesvirus 68 infection is associated with lymphoproliferative disease and lymphoma in BALB beta2 microglobulin-deficient mice

Human gammaherpesvirus infections are associated with development of lymphoproliferative disease. Understanding of the mechanisms of gammaherpesvirus lymphomagenesis during chronic infection in a natural host has been limited by the exquisite species specificity of human gammaherpesviruses and the expense of primates. Murine gammaherpesvirus gammaHV68 is genetically and biologically related to human gammaherpesviruses and herpesvirus saimiri and has been reported to be associated with lymphoproliferative disease in mice (N. P. Sunil-Chandra, J. Arno, J. Fazakerley, and A. A. Nash, Am. J. Pathol. 145:818-826, 1994). We report the development of an animal model of gammaHV68 lymphomagenesis in BALB/c beta2 microglobulin-deficient mice (BALB beta2m-/-). GammaHV68 infection induced two lymphoproliferative lesions: B-cell lymphoma and atypical lymphoid hyperplasia (ALH). ALH lesion histology resembled lesions of Epstein-Barr virus-associated posttransplant lymphoproliferative disease and was characterized by the abnormal infiltration of the white pulp with cells expressing the plasma cell marker CD138. Lymphomas observed in gammaHV68-infected animals were B220+/CD3- large-cell lymphomas. GammaHV68-infected cells were common in ALH lesions as measured by in situ hybridization with a probe specific for viral tRNAs (vtRNAs), but they were scarce in gammaHV68-infected spleens with normal histology. Unlike ALH lesions, gammaHV68 vtRNA-positive cells were rare in lymphomas. GammaHV68 infection of BALB beta2m-/- mice results in lymphoproliferation and lymphoma, providing a valuable tool for identifying viral and host genes involved in gammaherpesvirus-associated malignancies. Our findings suggest that gammaHV68 induces lymphomas via hit-and-run oncogenesis, paracrine effects, or stimulation of chronic inflammation.

Alpha/beta interferons regulate murine gammaherpesvirus latent gene expression and reactivation from latency

Alpha/beta interferon (IFN-alpha/beta) protects the host from virus infection by inhibition of lytic virus replication in infected cells and modulation of the antiviral cell-mediated immune response. To determine whether IFN-alpha/beta also modulates the virus-host interaction during latent virus infection, we infected mice lacking the IFN-alpha/beta receptor (IFN-alpha/betaR(-/-)) and wild-type (wt; 129S2/SvPas) mice with murine gammaherpesvirus 68 (gammaHV68), a lymphotropic gamma-2-herpesvirus that establishes latent infection in B cells, macrophages, and dendritic cells. IFN-alpha/betaR(-/-) mice cleared low-dose intranasal gammaHV68 infection with wt kinetics and harbored essentially wt frequencies of latently infected cells in both peritoneum and spleen by 28 days postinfection. However, latent virus in peritoneal cells and splenocytes from IFN-alpha/betaR(-/-) mice reactivated ex vivo with >40-fold- and 5-fold-enhanced efficiency, respectively, compared to wt cells. Depletion of IFN-alpha/beta from wt mice during viral latency also significantly increased viral reactivation, demonstrating an antiviral function of IFN-alpha/beta during latency. Viral reactivation efficiency was temporally regulated in both wt and IFN-alpha/betaR(-/-) mice. The mechanism of IFN-alpha/betaR action was distinct from that of IFN-gammaR, since IFN-alpha/betaR(-/-) mice did not display persistent virus replication in vivo. Analysis of viral latent gene expression in vivo demonstrated specific upregulation of the latency-associated gene M2, which is required for efficient reactivation from latency, in IFN-alpha/betaR(-/-) splenocytes. These data demonstrate that an IFN-alpha/beta-induced pathway regulates gammaHV68 gene expression patterns during latent viral infection in vivo and that IFN-alpha/beta plays a critical role in inhibiting viral reactivation during latency.

CD4 T cell control of acute and latent murine gammaherpesvirus infection requires IFNgamma

Murine gammaherpesvirus 68 (gammaHV68, MHV-68)-specific CD4 T cells control gammaHV68 infection by reducing the frequency of latently infected cells and by inhibiting viral replication. We have previously demonstrated that CD4 T cells do not require CD8 T or B cells to control gammaHV68 replication, demonstrating a helper-independent activity of CD4 T cells during gammaHV68 infection. The effector mechanism(s) required for this helper-independent function of CD4 T cells and for the inhibition of the establishment of latency by CD4 T cells are not known. Since IFNgamma has been previously shown to be important for control of acute, latent, and persistent gammaHV68 infection, we tested the hypothesis that CD4 T cells require IFNgamma to limit gammaHV68 latency and replication. We utilized a previously described system in which T cell receptor (TCR) transgenic T cells (DO.11.10) and a recombinant virus (gammaHV68.OVA) allow for evaluation of high numbers of virus-specific CD4 T cells during both acute and latent infection. We show here that virus-specific CD4 T cells require IFNgamma for their anti-viral function in both acute and latent gammaHV68 infection. We additionally show that an in vitro derived T helper type 1 (TH1) CD4 T cell clone, which produces IFNgamma, inhibits gammaHV68 replication after adoptive transfer into RAG mice. Together, data presented here demonstrate that both CD4 T cell-mediated helper-independent control of gammaHV68 replication and inhibition of the establishment of gammaHV68 latency require IFNgamma.

Critical role of CD4 T cells in an antibody-independent mechanism of vaccination against gammaherpesvirus latency

We have previously demonstrated that it is possible to effectively vaccinate against long-term murine gammaherpesvirus 68 (gamma HV68) latency by using a reactivation-deficient virus as a vaccine (S. A. Tibbetts, J. S. McClellan, S. Gangappa, S. H. Speck, and H. W. Virgin IV, J. Virol. 77:2522-2529, 2003). Immune antibody was capable of recapitulating aspects of this vaccination. This led us to determine whether antibody is required for vaccination against latency. Using mice lacking antigen-specific antibody responses, we demonstrate here that antibody and B cells are not required for vaccination against latency. We also show that surveillance of latent infection in normal animals depends on CD4 and CD8 T cells, suggesting that T cells might be capable of preventing the establishment of latency. In the absence of an antibody response, CD4 T cells but not CD8 T cells are required for effective vaccination against latency in peritoneal cells, while either CD4 or CD8 T cells can prevent the establishment of splenic latency. Therefore, CD4 T cells play a critical role in immune surveillance of gammaherpesvirus latency and can mediate vaccination against latency in the absence of antibody responses.