The human MHC-restricted cellular response to herpes simplex virus type 1 is mediated by CD4+, CD8- T cells and is restricted to the DR region of the MHC complex.
The nature of the in vitro human cytotoxic T-cell responder population to HSV type 1 (HSV-1) was studied. In 5-day HSV-1-stimulated cultures that contained MHC-restricted activity, two phenotypically distinct populations of cells were present that were capable of lysing HSV-1-infected B cell lines in a 5-h 51Cr-release assay. The first was CD4+, CD8-, CD16- cell typical of class II-restricted T cells, whereas the other population bore a CD4-, CD8-, CD16+ NK-cell phenotype. Elimination of the NK cell fraction from bulk cultures by using anti-CD16 plus C frequently resulted in cell populations that killed in an Ag-specific, HLA-DR-restricted fashion. In some cases the anti-CD16-pretreated cultures retained a killing population that was unrestricted to MHC products. In no instance were any cytotoxic T cells that were restricted to class I Ag in evidence. Limiting dilution analysis of precursor frequency indicated that about 1 in 4000 to 1 in 8000 cells from peripheral blood are specific for HSV-1 in seropositive individuals. Comparisons of HLA class I-matched and HLA class II-matched targets with the autologous target by using limiting dilution analysis yielded results entirely consistent with those obtained in the bulk culture assay system.
Schmid
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Centers for Disease Control, Division of Viral Diseases, Atlanta, GA 30333.
D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D002469:Cell Separation; D003601:Cytotoxicity Tests, Immunologic; D003602:Cytotoxicity, Immunologic; D006681:HLA-D Antigens / Q000276:immunology*; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000145:classification* / Q000276:immunology; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D010641:Phenotype; D018139:Simplexvirus / Q000276:immunology*; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000276:immunology
D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte; D006681:HLA-D Antigens; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens