Protective cytotoxic T lymphocytes are induced during murine infection with Chlamydia trachomatis.
T cell responses are often an important component in immunity to organisms that replicate intracellularly. Cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) recognition of peptide Ag in the context of MHC class I molecules results in lysis of infected cells and the release of cytokines including IFN-gamma. Members of the genus Chlamydia are obligate intracellular pathogens that cause blindness and sexually transmitted disease worldwide. Even though it replicates within a membrane-bound vacuole, Chlamydia trachomatis may elicit a CTL response if Chlamydia Ags are present in the cytoplasmic compartment where they can be processed for presentation and bound by MHC class I. In this study, we characterized a CTL line derived from mice infected with C. trachomatis. This CTL line is specific for, and able to lyse, Chlamydia-infected cells. The peptide epitope recognized by this CTL line is present on infected cells, and is presented to the CTL by the classical MHC class I molecule H-2 Ld. Adoptive transfer of this CTL line into an infected mouse affords protection, and this protection requires the activity of IFN-gamma.
Starnbach
M N
MN
Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Washington, Seattle 98195.
Bevan
M J
MJ
Lampe
M F
MF
D000818:Animals; D000938:Antigen-Presenting Cells / Q000276:immunology; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002690:Chlamydia Infections / Q000276:immunology* / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000628:therapy; D002692:Chlamydia trachomatis / Q000276:immunology*; D003601:Cytotoxicity Tests, Immunologic; D000939:Epitopes / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D006183:H-2 Antigens / Q000276:immunology; D016219:Immunotherapy, Adoptive; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000502:physiology; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D013154:Spleen / Q000166:cytology; D013602:T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / Q000276:immunology*
D000939:Epitopes; D006183:H-2 Antigens; D007371:Interferon-gamma