Phenotypic and functional analysis of the cellular response in regional lymphoid tissue during an acute virus infection.
A phenotypic and functional analysis has been made of the cellular response in regional lymphoid tissue of C57BL/6J mice infected with lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus. Massive recruitment of nondividing cells occurred from 3 days after infection, with total numbers of CD8+ T lymphocytes, B220+ B cells, and Thy-1- B220- null cells being high from day 4 to day 6. In contrast, the peak counts for CD4+ T cells were recorded on day 4 and declined dramatically thereafter. Enhanced expression of IL-2R and Ly-24, both of which can be regarded as T cell activation markers, was found for both the CD4+ and the CD8+ subsets, being most prominent for the CD8+ T cells on day 6. Evidence of T cell proliferation was not recognized until days 5 and 6, coincident with enhanced responsiveness of the lymphocytes to rIL-2 and the development of virus-specific cytotoxic activity. Elimination of the CD4+ T cells by treatment of mice with mAb did not modify either the pathogenesis of lymphocytic choriomeningitis, or the expression of activation markers on the CD8+ T cells which are known to be the key effectors in this disease. Thus, the pattern of responsiveness for the CD8+ population is of recruitment to the lymph node, progressive increase in the expression of activation markers and enhanced sensitivity to rIL-2, with late proliferation and generation of cytotoxic activity. This model provides a system for the rigorous in vivo analysis of parameters influencing lymphocyte differentiation and activation in a virus infection.
Lynch
F
F
John Curtin School of Medical Research, Canberra, Australia.
Doherty
P C
PC
Ceredig
R
R
D000818:Animals; D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte / Q000032:analysis; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002465:Cell Movement; D005260:Female; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000032:analysis / Q000473:pathology*; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000145:classification* / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D008216:Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D009333:Neck; D010641:Phenotype; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000145:classification / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology
D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte