title: Activation of virus-specific major histocompatibility complex class II-restricted CD8+ cytotoxic T cells in CD4-deficient mice.
abstract: Acute enteritic or respiratory disease is a consequence of coronavirus infection in man and rodents. Mouse hepatitis virus, stain A59 (MHV-A59) causes acute hepatitis in mice and rats and induces a response of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II-restricted CD4+ cytotoxic T cells, protecting mice against acute infection. In the present study we show that MHV-A59 infection of mice that lack a functional CD4 gene activates effector cells of the CD8+ phenotype. These cytotoxic T cells lyse virus-infected target cells in a MHC class II-restricted fashion. The results indicate that CD8+ T cells have the potential to utilize MHC class II as restriction element, illustrating that the immune system can effectively deal with evading microorganisms, such as viruses which down-regulate MHC class I.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Infectious Diseases and Immunology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Utrecht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: M H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Heemskerk
authors.forename: M W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Schilham
authors.forename: H M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Schoemaker
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Spierenburg
authors.forename: W J
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Spaan
authors.forename: C J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Boog
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017951:Antigen Presentation; D015704:CD4 Antigens / Q000378:metabolism*; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology* / Q000637:transplantation / Q000821:virology; D018352:Coronavirus Infections / Q000276:immunology*; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D008817:Mice, Mutant Strains; D006517:Murine hepatitis virus / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D015704:CD4 Antigens; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II