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Visvabharathy L, Hanson BA, Orban ZS, Lim PH, Palacio NM, Jimenez M, Clark JR, Graham EL, Liotta EM, Tachas G, Penaloza-MacMaster P, Koralnik IJ. T cell responses to SARS-CoV-2 in people with and without neurologic symptoms of long COVID. MEDRXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR HEALTH SCIENCES 2022:2021.08.08.21261763. [PMID: 34401886 PMCID: PMC8366804 DOI: 10.1101/2021.08.08.21261763] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Many people experiencing long COVID syndrome, or post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC), suffer from debilitating neurologic symptoms (Neuro-PASC). However, whether virus-specific adaptive immunity is affected in Neuro-PASC patients remains poorly understood. We report that Neuro-PASC patients exhibit distinct immunological signatures composed of elevated humoral and cellular responses toward SARS-CoV-2 Nucleocapsid protein at an average of 6 months post-infection compared to healthy COVID convalescents. Neuro-PASC patients also had enhanced virus-specific production of IL-6 from and diminished activation of CD8+ T cells. Furthermore, the severity of cognitive deficits or quality of life disturbances in Neuro-PASC patients were associated with a reduced diversity of effector molecule expression in T cells but elevated IFN-γ production to the C-terminal domain of Nucleocapsid protein. Proteomics analysis showed enhanced plasma immunoregulatory proteins and reduced pro-inflammatory and antiviral response proteins in Neuro-PASC patients compared with healthy COVID convalescents, which were also correlated with worse neurocognitive dysfunction. These data provide new insight into the pathogenesis of long COVID syndrome and a framework for the rational design of predictive biomarkers and therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lavanya Visvabharathy
- Ken and Ruth Davee Department of Neurology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago IL 60611 USA
| | - Barbara A. Hanson
- Ken and Ruth Davee Department of Neurology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago IL 60611 USA
| | - Zachary S. Orban
- Ken and Ruth Davee Department of Neurology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago IL 60611 USA
| | - Patrick H. Lim
- Ken and Ruth Davee Department of Neurology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago IL 60611 USA
| | - Nicole M. Palacio
- Department of Microbiology-Immunology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago IL 60611 USA
| | - Millenia Jimenez
- Ken and Ruth Davee Department of Neurology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago IL 60611 USA
| | - Jeffrey R. Clark
- Ken and Ruth Davee Department of Neurology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago IL 60611 USA
| | - Edith L. Graham
- Ken and Ruth Davee Department of Neurology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago IL 60611 USA
| | - Eric M. Liotta
- Ken and Ruth Davee Department of Neurology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago IL 60611 USA
| | - George Tachas
- Director, Drug Discovery & Patents, Antisense Therapeutics Ltd., Melbourne, Australia
| | - Pablo Penaloza-MacMaster
- Department of Microbiology-Immunology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago IL 60611 USA
| | - Igor J. Koralnik
- Ken and Ruth Davee Department of Neurology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago IL 60611 USA
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2
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Prasad S, Sheng WS, Hu S, Chauhan P, Lokensgard JR. Dysregulated Microglial Cell Activation and Proliferation Following Repeated Antigen Stimulation. Front Cell Neurosci 2021; 15:686340. [PMID: 34447297 PMCID: PMC8383069 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2021.686340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2021] [Accepted: 07/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Upon reactivation of quiescent neurotropic viruses antigen (Ag)-specific brain resident-memory CD8+ T-cells (bTRM) may respond to de novo-produced viral Ag through the rapid release of IFN-γ, which drives subsequent interferon-stimulated gene expression in surrounding microglia. Through this mechanism, a small number of adaptive bTRM may amplify responses to viral reactivation leading to an organ-wide innate protective state. Over time, this brain-wide innate immune activation likely has cumulative neurotoxic and neurocognitive consequences. We have previously shown that HIV-1 p24 Ag-specific bTRM persist within the murine brain using a heterologous prime-CNS boost strategy. In response to Ag restimulation, these bTRM display rapid and robust recall responses, which subsequently activate glial cells. In this study, we hypothesized that repeated challenges to viral antigen (Ag) (modeling repeated episodes of viral reactivation) culminate in prolonged reactive gliosis and exacerbated neurotoxicity. To address this question, mice were first immunized with adenovirus vectors expressing the HIV p24 capsid protein, followed by a CNS-boost using Pr55Gag/Env virus-like particles (HIV-VLPs). Following the establishment of the bTRM population [>30 days (d)], prime-CNS boost animals were then subjected to in vivo challenge, as well as re-challenge (at 14 d post-challenge), using the immunodominant HIV-1 AI9 CD8+ T-cell epitope peptide. In these studies, Ag re-challenge resulted in prolonged expression of microglial activation markers and an increased proliferative response, longer than the challenge group. This continued expression of MHCII and PD-L1 (activation markers), as well as Ki67 (proliferative marker), was observed at 7, 14, and 30 days post-AI9 re-challenge. Additionally, in vivo re-challenge resulted in continued production of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) with elevated levels observed at 7, 14 and 30 days post re-challenge. Interestingly, iNOS expression was significantly lower among challenged animals when compared to re-challenged groups. Furthermore, in vivo specific Ag re-challenge produced lower levels of arginase (Arg)-1 when compared with the challenged group. Taken together, these results indicate that repeated Ag-specific stimulation of adaptive immune responses leads to cumulative dysregulated microglial cell activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sujata Prasad
- Neurovirology Laboratory, Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Wen S Sheng
- Neurovirology Laboratory, Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Shuxian Hu
- Neurovirology Laboratory, Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - Priyanka Chauhan
- Neurovirology Laboratory, Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
| | - James R Lokensgard
- Neurovirology Laboratory, Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, United States
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3
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Shaw TN, Haley MJ, Dookie RS, Godfrey JJ, Cheeseman AJ, Strangward P, Zeef LAH, Villegas-Mendez A, Couper KN. Memory CD8 + T cells exhibit tissue imprinting and non-stable exposure-dependent reactivation characteristics following blood-stage Plasmodium berghei ANKA infections. Immunology 2021; 164:737-753. [PMID: 34407221 PMCID: PMC8561116 DOI: 10.1111/imm.13405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2020] [Revised: 08/09/2021] [Accepted: 08/13/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Experimental cerebral malaria (ECM) is a severe complication of Plasmodium berghei ANKA (PbA) infection in mice, characterized by CD8+ T‐cell accumulation within the brain. Whilst the dynamics of CD8+ T‐cell activation and migration during extant primary PbA infection have been extensively researched, the fate of the parasite‐specific CD8+ T cells upon resolution of ECM is not understood. In this study, we show that memory OT‐I cells persist systemically within the spleen, lung and brain following recovery from ECM after primary PbA‐OVA infection. Whereas memory OT‐I cells within the spleen and lung exhibited canonical central memory (Tcm) and effector memory (Tem) phenotypes, respectively, memory OT‐I cells within the brain post‐PbA‐OVA infection displayed an enriched CD69+CD103− profile and expressed low levels of T‐bet. OT‐I cells within the brain were excluded from short‐term intravascular antibody labelling but were targeted effectively by longer‐term systemically administered antibodies. Thus, the memory OT‐I cells were extravascular within the brain post‐ECM but were potentially not resident memory cells. Importantly, whilst memory OT‐I cells exhibited strong reactivation during secondary PbA‐OVA infection, preventing activation of new primary effector T cells, they had dampened reactivation during a fourth PbA‐OVA infection. Overall, our results demonstrate that memory CD8+ T cells are systemically distributed but exhibit a unique phenotype within the brain post‐ECM, and that their reactivation characteristics are shaped by infection history. Our results raise important questions regarding the role of distinct memory CD8+ T‐cell populations within the brain and other tissues during repeat Plasmodium infections.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tovah N Shaw
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The Lydia Becker Institute of Immunology and Inflammation, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.,School of Biological Sciences, Institute of Immunology and Infection, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Michael J Haley
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The Lydia Becker Institute of Immunology and Inflammation, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Rebecca S Dookie
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The Lydia Becker Institute of Immunology and Inflammation, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Jenna J Godfrey
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The Lydia Becker Institute of Immunology and Inflammation, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Antonn J Cheeseman
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The Lydia Becker Institute of Immunology and Inflammation, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Patrick Strangward
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The Lydia Becker Institute of Immunology and Inflammation, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Leo A H Zeef
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Ana Villegas-Mendez
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The Lydia Becker Institute of Immunology and Inflammation, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Kevin N Couper
- Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The Lydia Becker Institute of Immunology and Inflammation, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
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Chauhan P, Hu S, Prasad S, Sheng WS, Lokensgard JR. Programmed death ligand-1 induction restrains the cytotoxic T lymphocyte response against microglia. Glia 2020; 69:858-871. [PMID: 33128485 DOI: 10.1002/glia.23932] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2020] [Revised: 10/15/2020] [Accepted: 10/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Microglial cells are the main reservoir for HIV-1 within the brain and potential exists for negative immune checkpoint blockade therapies to purge this viral reservoir. Here, we investigated cytolytic responses of CD8+ T lymphocytes against microglia loaded with peptide epitopes. Initially, flow cytometric analysis demonstrated efficient killing of HIV-1 p24 AI9 or YI9 peptide-loaded splenocytes in MHC-matched recipients. Cytolytic killing of microglia was first demonstrated using ovalbumin (OVA) as a model antigen for in vitro cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) assays. Peptide-loaded primary microglia obtained from programmed death ligand (PD-L) 1 knockout (KO) animals showed significantly more killing than cells from wild-type (WT) animals when co-cultured with activated CD8+ T-cells isolated from rAd5-OVA primed animals. Moreover, when peptide loaded-microglial cells from WT animals were treated with neutralizing α-PD-L1 Ab, significantly more killing was observed compared to either untreated or IgG isotype-treated cells. Most importantly, significantly increased in vivo killing of HIV-1 p24 YI9 peptide-loaded microglia from PD-L1 KO animals, as well as AI9 peptide-loaded BALB/c microglial cells treated with α-PD-L1, was observed within brains of rAd5-p24 primed-CNS boosted C57BL/6 or BALB/c mice, respectively. Finally, ex vivo responses of brain CD8+ T-cells in response to AI9 stimulation showed significantly increased IFN-γ and IL-2 production when treated with α-PD-1 Abs. Greater proliferation of CD8+ T-cells from the brain was also observed following blockade. Taken together, these studies demonstrate that PD-L1 induction on microglia restrains CTL responses and indicate that immune checkpoint blockade targeting this pathway may be beneficial in clearing viral brain reservoirs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priyanka Chauhan
- Neurovirology Laboratory, Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Shuxian Hu
- Neurovirology Laboratory, Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Sujata Prasad
- Neurovirology Laboratory, Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Wen S Sheng
- Neurovirology Laboratory, Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - James R Lokensgard
- Neurovirology Laboratory, Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
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5
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Ren HM, Lukacher AE. IL-21 in Homeostasis of Resident Memory and Exhausted CD8 T Cells during Persistent Infection. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21186966. [PMID: 32971931 PMCID: PMC7554897 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21186966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2020] [Revised: 09/18/2020] [Accepted: 09/20/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
CD4 T cells guide the development of CD8 T cells into memory by elaborating mitogenic and differentiation factors and by licensing professional antigen-presenting cells. CD4 T cells also act to stave off CD8 T cell dysfunction during repetitive antigen stimulation in persistent infection and cancer by mitigating generation of exhausted T cells (TEX). CD4 T cell help is also required for establishing and maintaining tissue-resident memory T cells (TRM), the nonrecirculating memory T cell subset parked in nonlymphoid tissues to provide frontline defense against reinvading pathogens. Interleukin (IL)-21 is the signature cytokine secreted by follicular helper CD4 T cells (TFH) to drive B cell expansion and differentiation in germinal centers to mount high-affinity, isotype class-switched antibodies. In several infection models, IL-21 has been identified as the CD4 T help needed for formation and survival of TRM and TEX. In this review, we will explore the different memory subsets of CD8 T cells in persistent infections, the metabolic profiles associated with each, and evidence documenting the importance of CD4 T cell-derived IL-21 in regulating CD8 TRM and TEX development, homeostasis, and function.
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6
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Stonedahl S, Clarke P, Tyler KL. The Role of Microglia during West Nile Virus Infection of the Central Nervous System. Vaccines (Basel) 2020; 8:E485. [PMID: 32872152 PMCID: PMC7563127 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines8030485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2020] [Revised: 08/22/2020] [Accepted: 08/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Encephalitis resulting from viral infections is a major cause of hospitalization and death worldwide. West Nile Virus (WNV) is a substantial health concern as it is one of the leading causes of viral encephalitis in the United States today. WNV infiltrates the central nervous system (CNS), where it directly infects neurons and induces neuronal cell death, in part, via activation of caspase 3-mediated apoptosis. WNV infection also induces neuroinflammation characterized by activation of innate immune cells, including microglia and astrocytes, production of inflammatory cytokines, breakdown of the blood-brain barrier, and infiltration of peripheral leukocytes. Microglia are the resident immune cells of the brain and monitor the CNS for signs of injury or pathogens. Following infection with WNV, microglia exhibit a change in morphology consistent with activation and are associated with increased expression of proinflammatory cytokines. Recent research has focused on deciphering the role of microglia during WNV encephalitis. Microglia play a protective role during infections by limiting viral growth and reducing mortality in mice. However, it also appears that activated microglia are triggered by T cells to mediate synaptic elimination at late times during infection, which may contribute to long-term neurological deficits following a neuroinvasive WNV infection. This review will discuss the important role of microglia in the pathogenesis of a neuroinvasive WNV infection. Knowledge of the precise role of microglia during a WNV infection may lead to a greater ability to treat and manage WNV encephalitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Stonedahl
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA;
| | - Penny Clarke
- Department of Neurology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
| | - Kenneth L. Tyler
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, Infectious Disease, Medicine and Neurology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
- Department of Veterans Affairs, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
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7
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Tritz ZP, Orozco RC, Malo CS, Ayasoufi K, Fain CE, Khadka RH, Goddery EN, Yokanovich LT, Settell ML, Hansen MJ, Jin F, Pavelko KD, Pease LR, Johnson AJ. Conditional Silencing of H-2D b Class I Molecule Expression Modulates the Protective and Pathogenic Kinetics of Virus-Antigen-Specific CD8 T Cell Responses during Theiler's Virus Infection. THE JOURNAL OF IMMUNOLOGY 2020; 205:1228-1238. [PMID: 32737149 DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.2000340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2020] [Accepted: 07/01/2020] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Theiler's murine encephalomyelitis virus (TMEV) infection of the CNS is cleared in C57BL/6 mice by a CD8 T cell response restricted by the MHC class I molecule H-2Db The identity and function of the APC(s) involved in the priming of this T cell response is (are) poorly defined. To address this gap in knowledge, we developed an H-2Db LoxP-transgenic mouse system using otherwise MHC class I-deficient C57BL/6 mice, thereby conditionally ablating MHC class I-restricted Ag presentation in targeted APC subpopulations. We observed that CD11c+ APCs are critical for early priming of CD8 T cells against the immunodominant TMEV peptide VP2121-130 Loss of H-2Db on CD11c+ APCs mitigates the CD8 T cell response, preventing early viral clearance and immunopathology associated with CD8 T cell activity in the CNS. In contrast, animals with H-2Db-deficient LysM+ APCs retained early priming of Db:VP2121-130 epitope-specific CD8 T cells, although a modest reduction in immune cell entry into the CNS was observed. This work establishes a model enabling the critical dissection of H-2Db-restricted Ag presentation to CD8 T cells, revealing cell-specific and temporal features involved in the generation of CD8 T cell responses. Employing this novel system, we establish CD11c+ cells as pivotal to the establishment of acute antiviral CD8 T cell responses against the TMEV immunodominant epitope VP2121-130, with functional implications both for T cell-mediated viral control and immunopathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zachariah P Tritz
- Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Rochester, MN 55905.,Mayo Clinic Department of Immunology, Rochester, MN 55905
| | - Robin C Orozco
- Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Rochester, MN 55905.,Mayo Clinic Department of Immunology, Rochester, MN 55905
| | - Courtney S Malo
- Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Rochester, MN 55905.,Mayo Clinic Department of Immunology, Rochester, MN 55905
| | | | - Cori E Fain
- Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Rochester, MN 55905.,Mayo Clinic Department of Immunology, Rochester, MN 55905
| | - Roman H Khadka
- Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Rochester, MN 55905.,Mayo Clinic Department of Immunology, Rochester, MN 55905
| | - Emma N Goddery
- Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Rochester, MN 55905.,Mayo Clinic Department of Immunology, Rochester, MN 55905
| | - Lila T Yokanovich
- Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Rochester, MN 55905.,Mayo Clinic Department of Immunology, Rochester, MN 55905
| | - Megan L Settell
- Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Rochester, MN 55905
| | | | - Fang Jin
- Mayo Clinic Department of Immunology, Rochester, MN 55905
| | | | - Larry R Pease
- Mayo Clinic Department of Immunology, Rochester, MN 55905.,Mayo Clinic Department of Biochemistry, Rochester, MN 55905
| | - Aaron J Johnson
- Mayo Clinic Department of Immunology, Rochester, MN 55905; .,Mayo Clinic Department of Molecular Medicine, Rochester, MN 55905; and.,Mayo Clinic Department of Neurology, Rochester, MN 55905
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8
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW The present review will outline neuroprotective and neurotoxic effects of central nervous system (CNS) infiltrating T cells during viral infections. Evidence demonstrating differential roles for antiviral effector and resident memory T-cell subsets in virologic control and immunopathology in the CNS will be discussed. Potential therapeutic targets emanating from a growing understanding of T-cell-initiated neuropathology that impacts learning and memory will also be delineated. RECENT FINDINGS The critical role for T cells in preventing and clearing CNS infections became incontrovertible during the era of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. Recent studies have further defined differential roles of T-cell subsets, including resident memory T cells (Trm), in antiviral immunity and, unexpectedly, in postinfectious cognitive dysfunction. Mechanisms of T-cell-mediated effects include differential innate immune signaling within neural cells that are virus-specific. SUMMARY T-cell cytokines that are essential for cell-mediated virologic control during neurotropic viral infections have recently been identified as potential targets to prevent post-infection memory disorders. Further identification of T-cell subsets, their antigen specificity, and postinfection localization of Trm will enhance the efficacy of immunotherapies through minimization of immunopathology.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Robyn S. Klein
- Departments of Medicine
- Pathology and Immunology
- Neurosciences Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
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