CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocyte responses to lentiviruses and herpesviruses.
Immune containment of persistent viral infections has long been a focus of interest for investigators. However, the technologies needed to evaluate the role of CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) in this process have only recently become available. Recent studies performed using tetramer, ELISPOT and cytokine-production assays have evaluated the role of CD8+ CTLs in controlling lentivirus and herpesvirus infections in humans and nonhuman primates. These studies demonstrate dramatic expansions of virus-specific CTLs in primary infection and the maintenance of unexpectedly high levels of virus-specific CTLs in chronic infection. These findings underscore the importance of CD8+ CTLs in the immune control of persistent viral infections.
Barouch
D H
DH
Harvard Medical School and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Research East 113, 330 Brookline Avenue, Boston, MA 02215, USA. dan_barouch@hotmail.com
Letvin
N L
NL
D000818:Animals; D003587:Cytomegalovirus / Q000276:immunology; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000276:immunology; D006564:Herpesviridae / Q000276:immunology*; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D016086:Lentivirus / Q000276:immunology*; D015302:Simian Immunodeficiency Virus / Q000276:immunology; D013602:T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / Q000276:immunology*; D014777:Virus Diseases / Q000276:immunology