Specificity analysis of human CD4+ T-cell clones directed against human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6), HHV-7, and human cytomegalovirus.
In order to clarify antigenic variations among various isolates of human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) and cross-reactivity among HHV-6, HHV-7, and human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) in the T-cell immune response, the antigenic specificity of the proliferative response mediated by 232 CD4+ human T-cell clones directed against HHV-6, HHV-7, or HCMV was examined. The results obtained were as follows. (i) Although the majority of T-cell clones directed against HHV-6 proliferated in response to stimulation with all strains of HHV-6 used (U1102, Z29, SF, and HST), 7% (8 of 122) of the T-cell clones showed distinct patterns of proliferative response against strain U1102 (group A) and other strains of HHV-6 (group B). (ii) Of 99 T-cell clones, 71 showed a distinct proliferative response to HHV-6 and HHV-7, whereas 28 proliferated in response to stimulation with both HHV-6 and HHV-7. (iii) A small number of T-cell clones (9 of 232) showed cross-reactivity against HHV-6 and HCMV, and 2 of the 232 clones were reactive with HCMV as well as with HHV-6 and HHV-7. (iv) The specificity of gamma interferon production by T-cell clones following the stimulation with virus antigen was identical to that of their proliferative response. These data thus indicate the presence of antigenic variations among isolates of HHV-6 and also epitopes common to HHV-6 and HHV-7 and to HHV-6, HHV-7, and HCMV which are recognized by CD4+ T cells.
First Department of Internal Medicine, Ehime University School of Medicine, Japan.
M
M
Yasukawa
Y
Y
Yakushijin
M
M
Furukawa
S
S
Fujita
D000956:Antigens, Viral / Q000276:immunology; D015704:CD4 Antigens / Q000276:immunology*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D002999:Clone Cells; D003429:Cross Reactions; D003587:Cytomegalovirus / Q000276:immunology*; D015654:Herpesvirus 6, Human / Q000276:immunology*; D016199:Herpesvirus 7, Human / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000096:biosynthesis; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000276:immunology*; D013936:Thymidine / Q000378:metabolism
D000956:Antigens, Viral; D015704:CD4 Antigens; D007371:Interferon-gamma; D013936:Thymidine