title: Response to influenza infection in mice with a targeted disruption in the interferon gamma gene.
abstract: Interferon gamma (IFN-gamma) is a pleiotropic cytokine secreted by T lymphocytes and natural killer (NK) cells and has been noted to be a first line of host defense in the control of viral infections. To examine further the role of this cytokine in the control of viral infections, mice with a targeted mutation in the IFN-gamma gene were infected with influenza virus, and the in vivo antibody and cell-mediated immune response to viral infection were examined. In addition, cell lines and clones were derived from the immunized animals and the in vitro cytokine production and cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) response were analyzed. The absence of IFN-gamma led to increased production of influenza-specific IgG1, IL-4, and IL-5 as compared to wild-type littermate control animals. In contrast, there was no difference noted in the development of an effective CTL response between IFN-gamma-deficient and wild-type animals. In this model of experimental influenza infection, IFN-gamma is not necessary for the development of an effective humoral or cellular immune response to challenge with this respiratory virus.
authors.affiliation: Beirne B, Carter Center for Immunology Research, University of Virginia Health Sciences Center, Charlottesville 22908.
authors.forename: M B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Graham
authors.forename: D K
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: Dalton
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Giltinan
authors.forename: V L
authors.initials: VL
authors.lastname: Braciale
authors.forename: T A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Stewart
authors.forename: T J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Braciale
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000917:Antibody Formation; D003602:Cytotoxicity, Immunologic; D005260:Female; D007111:Immunity, Cellular; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000145:classification; D016219:Immunotherapy, Adoptive; D009980:Influenza A virus / Q000276:immunology*; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000235:genetics*; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D015848:Interleukin-5 / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D008817:Mice, Mutant Strains; D016296:Mutagenesis; D009976:Orthomyxoviridae Infections / Q000276:immunology*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D013602:T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D015848:Interleukin-5; D015847:Interleukin-4; D007371:Interferon-gamma