Virus-induced delayed-type hypersensitivity reaction is sequentially mediated by CD8+ and CD4+ T lymphocytes

D. Moskophidis, F. Lehmann-Grube

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

55 Scopus citations

Abstract

After subcutaneous inoculation into the hind foot of a mouse, the lymphocytic choriomeningitis (LCM) virus multiplies locally, attaining 107-108 mouse infectious units per g of tissue; elimination commences around day 7. About 1 day earlier, the foot begins to swell, which is regarded as a delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) reaction. To answer the question of whether the local inflammatory response is involved in virus clearance, we needed to known what cells mediate both these phenomena. With three different procedures - namely, depletion in vivo of defined cells by treatment of mice with monoclonal antibodies ('serologic surgery'), adoptive immunization with negatively selected cells, and adoptive immunization with cells from mice differing at the major histocompatibility gene complex - it is shown that the LCM virus-induced local DTH reaction consists of two phases that are sequentially mediated by (first) class I-restricted cytotoxic/suppressive CD8+ and (second) class II-restricted helper/inducer CD4+ T lymphocytes. In contrast, for virus elimination only the former subset of T lymphocytes was found to be needed. Thus, an association may exist between the CD8+ cell-mediated component of the local DTH response and control of the infection, but the CD4+ cell-mediated part appears to be of doubtful antiviral relevance.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)3291-3295
Number of pages5
JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
Volume86
Issue number9
DOIs
StatePublished - 1989
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General

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