title: Transgenic mice lacking class I major histocompatibility complex-restricted T cells have delayed viral clearance and increased mortality after influenza virus challenge.
abstract: To investigate the role of CD8+ T lymphocytes in recovery from influenza pneumonia, we used transgenic mice either homozygous (-/-) or heterozygous (+/-) for beta 2-microglobulin (beta 2-M) gene disruption. These mice lack major histocompatibility complex-restricted class I (CD8+) T cells. We found that after challenge with a nonlethal influenza virus, the beta 2-M (-/-) mice had significantly delayed pulmonary viral clearance. Furthermore, after challenge with a more virulent influenza virus, the beta 2-M (-/-) mice had a significantly higher mortality rate than did control mice. Thus, CD8+ T cells are important in recovery from virulent influenza infections, but other host defense mechanisms can clear the respiratory tract of more benign infections.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville.
authors.forename: B S
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: Bender
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Croghan
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: P A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Small
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / Q000276:immunology*; D009980:Influenza A virus / Q000276:immunology; D008168:Lung / Q000276:immunology; D051379:Mice; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D009976:Orthomyxoviridae Infections / Q000276:immunology*; D016019:Survival Analysis; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D001613:beta 2-Microglobulin / Q000172:deficiency*
chemical_list: D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I; D001613:beta 2-Microglobulin