Murine cytomegalovirus-induced suppression of antigen-specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte maturation.
Antigen-specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) maturation was inhibited in mice acutely infected with murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV). When immunization with Simian virus 40 (SV40) either preceded or followed infection with MCMV by 1 day, the frequency of SV40-specific CTL precursors among lymph node cells (LNC) was significantly reduced compared to noninfected mice. Replication of the herpesvirus in LNC could not be detected; however, MCMV rendered noninfectious by heat treatment was not suppressive to CTL development. Lymph node cells from nonimmunized, MCMV-infected mice contained a cell(s) present in low frequency which suppressed in vitro maturation of SV40 CTL in immune lymph nodes from mice not infected with MCMV. These suppressor cells did not affect the antigen- and interleukin-2-dependent growth nor cytotoxic activity of a mature, SV40-specific CTL clone. These results indicate that MCMV interferes with immunoregulatory functions required for development of antigen-specific CTL precursors to mature effector CTL. The immunosuppression is mediated at least in part by the MCMV-induced suppressor cell(s).
Campbell
A E
AE
Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk 23501.
Slater
J S
JS
Futch
W S
WS
D000818:Animals; D002460:Cell Line; D003587:Cytomegalovirus / Q000254:growth & development / Q000276:immunology* / Q000502:physiology; D003586:Cytomegalovirus Infections / Q000276:immunology*; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000382:microbiology; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D013539:Simian virus 40 / Q000276:immunology; D013602:T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / Q000276:immunology*; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000276:immunology; D010948:Viral Plaque Assay; D014779:Virus Replication