Cytotoxic T cells clear virus but augment lung pathology in mice infected with respiratory syncytial virus.
We have examined the function of class I MHC-restricted cytotoxic T cells in experimental respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection of BALB/c mice by transfer of T cell line MJC-A2 and CTL clone E8a into RSV-infected mice. The T cell line cleared pulmonary RSV infection within 5 d in persistently infected gamma-irradiated mice, but caused acute respiratory disease. This was only seen in infected mice and was often lethal after transfer of greater than 3 x 10(6) CTL. Lower numbers of CTL produced less severe disease but still cleared lung RSV, albeit over a longer time course (up to 10 d). Clearance of lung RSV in immunocompetent mice by the T cell line and CTL clone was again accompanied by acute and sometimes lethal respiratory disease. Bronchoalveolar lavage showed severe lung hemorrhage and frequent neutrophil efflux in mice with CTL-augmented disease.
Cannon
M J
MJ
Division of Immunology, National Institute for Medical Research, London, United Kingdom.
Openshaw
P J
PJ
Askonas
B A
BA
D000818:Animals; D002999:Clone Cells; D004112:Dimercaprol; D007116:Immunization, Passive; D008168:Lung / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology*; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D012136:Respiratory Syncytial Viruses / Q000276:immunology; D010253:Respirovirus Infections / Q000276:immunology* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D013602:T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / Q000276:immunology*
D004112:Dimercaprol