Virus-triggered acquired immunodeficiency by cytotoxic T-cell-dependent destruction of antigen-presenting cells and lymph follicle structure.
Virus-induced acquired immune suppression in mice infected with lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus is shown here to be caused by the CD8+-T-cell-dependent elimination of macrophages/antigen-presenting cells. Surprisingly, this is associated with severe destruction of the follicular organization of lymphoid organs, indicating a crucial role for dendritic cells and marginal zone macrophages in maintaining follicular structure. Once established, this immunopathology cannot be readily reversed by the elimination of CD8+ effector cells. Such a T-cell-mediated pathogenesis may play a pivotal role in acquired virus-induced immunosuppression and may represent one strategy by which virus escapes immune surveillance and establishes persistent infections in initially immunocompetent hosts.
Odermatt
B
B
Institute of Pathology, University of Zürich, Switzerland.
Eppler
M
M
Leist
T P
TP
Hengartner
H
H
Zinkernagel
R M
RM
D000818:Animals; D000938:Antigen-Presenting Cells / Q000276:immunology*; D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte / Q000276:immunology; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D016827:CD8 Antigens; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000276:immunology* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D007153:Immunologic Deficiency Syndromes / Q000276:immunology; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D008216:Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D008217:Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus / Q000276:immunology*; D008264:Macrophages / Q000276:immunology* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000276:immunology; D013602:T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / Q000276:immunology*
D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte; D016827:CD8 Antigens