Rabies virus cross-reactive murine T cell clones: analysis of helper and delayed-type hypersensitivity function.
Three T cell clones derived from rabies virus-immunized BALB/c mice were analysed for specificity and function. The clones proved to be broadly cross-reactive by responding to different rabies virus isolates (PM, ERA, CVS, HEP) and other representatives of the genus Lyssavirus, like the Duvenhage-6 (DUV6) and Mokola (MOK) viruses. The clones detected three different epitopes: an epitope expressed on the matrix protein (M) shared by PM, HEP, MOK and DUV6 viruses (clone AA8), an epitope expressed on the M-protein shared by PM, ERA, CVS, HEP and MOK viruses (clone 35A) and finally an epitope expressed on the glycoprotein (G-protein) shared by PM, ERA, CVS, HEP and MOK viruses (clone BG2). Antigen recognition of all clones proved to be MHC-restricted and they all displayed the CD4+ CD8- phenotype. Intravenous inoculation of the T cells in syngeneic mice, which had been injected intracutaneously in the ear with HEP virus, resulted in a localized DTH reaction characteristic for TH1 cells. In vitro, the clones were able to provide help to rabies virus-primed B cells, resulting in the production of virus-specific antibodies directed against all the four structural proteins of rabies virus. Further analysis of this antibody response revealed that part of it was directed against antigenic determinants of the G-protein which induce virus neutralizing antibody.
Bunschoten
H
H
National Institute of Public Health and Environmental Protection, Department of Immunobiology, Bilthoven, The Netherlands.
Dietzschold
B
B
Claassen
I
I
Klapmuts
R
R
Uytdehaag
F
F
Osterhaus
A
A
D000818:Animals; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000096:biosynthesis; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D002999:Clone Cells; D003429:Cross Reactions; D006968:Hypersensitivity, Delayed / Q000276:immunology*; D008285:Major Histocompatibility Complex / Q000235:genetics; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D010641:Phenotype; D011820:Rabies virus / Q000276:immunology*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D006377:T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / Q000276:immunology*; D014763:Viral Matrix Proteins / Q000276:immunology
D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D014763:Viral Matrix Proteins