Characterization of virus-induced interferon-gamma responses in mice previously infected with murine cytomegalovirus.
These studies demonstrate that in vitro stimulation of spleen cells from murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV) immune mice with MCMV-infected fibroblasts induces production of interferon (IFN)-gamma. This response is specific to MCMV, is not generalized to heterologous viruses, and also is not H-2 restricted. Both early and late CMV antigens induce IFN-gamma. In in vitro cell depletion and direct cell selection experiments, T lymphocytes were responsible for IFN-gamma production. Although both CD4 and CD8 cells appear to be required to induce the response, the cell subset that releases the IFN-gamma is not yet undefined. In vivo, this IFN-gamma response appears early after acute infection and persists > or =1 year. The response is not seen in T cell-deficient mice. Thus, previous MCMV infection results in a virus-specific IFN-gamma response in spleen cells exposed to MCMV antigens. The pathophysiologic significance of these observations is now under study.
Shanley
J D
JD
Division of Infectious Diseases, Dept. of Medicine, University of Connecticut Health Center, 263 Farmington Ave., Farmington, CT 06030, USA. Shanley@NSO1.UCHC.edu
Shanley
J A
JA
Albert
G
G
Biegel
D
D
D000208:Acute Disease; D000818:Animals; D000956:Antigens, Viral / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology*; D015704:CD4 Antigens / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology; D016827:CD8 Antigens / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D005260:Female; D006566:Herpesviridae Infections / Q000276:immunology* / Q000821:virology*; D007114:Immunization; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000276:immunology; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D018146:Muromegalovirus / Q000276:immunology*; D013154:Spleen; D013997:Time Factors
D000956:Antigens, Viral; D015704:CD4 Antigens; D016827:CD8 Antigens; D007371:Interferon-gamma