CD4+ T cells are ineffective in clearing a pulmonary infection with influenza type A virus in the absence of B cells.
Recovery from influenza virus infection is dependent on T cell functions which can be provided either by CD8 or CD4 T cells. To identity the functions involved in recovery promoted by CD4 T cells, we have studied the course of the infection in B-cell deficient micro MT mice which had been depleted of CD8 T cells by antibody treatment. Upon infection with PR8 [A/PR/8/34(H1N1)], such B- and CD8 T cell-deficient mice mounted strong CD4 T cell responses that were comparable in size and cytokine secretion to those seen in intact mice. Yet, these B- and CD8 T cell-deficient mice could not clear the infection, in contrast to (CD8-depleted) mice containing both B- and CD4 T cells. These findings indicate that the promotion of the T-dependent antibody response is an indispensable component in the CD4 T cell-dependent recovery process.
Mozdzanowska
K
K
Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA.
Furchner
M
M
Maiese
K
K
Gerhard
W
W
D000818:Animals; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology* / Q000821:virology; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology* / Q000821:virology; D007111:Immunity, Cellular; D009980:Influenza A virus / Q000276:immunology*; D008168:Lung / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology*; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D009976:Orthomyxoviridae Infections / Q000276:immunology*