Simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV)-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes in gastrointestinal tissues of chronically SIV-infected rhesus monkeys.
Although systemic virus-specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) responses are of critical importance in controlling virus replication in individuals infected with human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV-1), little is known about this immune response in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. This study investigated the GI tract CTL response in a nonhuman primate model for HIV-1 infection, simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV)-infected rhesus monkeys. Lymphocytes from duodenal pinch biopsy specimens were obtained from 9 chronically SIVmac-infected rhesus monkeys and GI tract lymphocytes were harvested from the jejunum and ileum of 4 euthanized SIVmac-infected rhesus monkeys. Lymphocytes were also assessed in GI mucosal tissues by in situ staining in histologic specimens. SIVmac Gag-specific CTLs were assessed in the monkeys using the tetramer technology. These GI mucosal tissues of chronically SIVmac-infected rhesus monkeys contained levels of CTLs comparable to those found in the peripheral blood and lymph nodes. The present studies suggest that the CD8(+) CTL response in GI mucosal sites is comparable to that seen systemically in SIVmac-infected rhesus monkeys.
Schmitz
J E
JE
Division of Viral Pathogenesis, Department of Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115, USA. jschmitz@caregroup.harvard.edu
Veazey
R S
RS
Kuroda
M J
MJ
Levy
D B
DB
Seth
A
A
Mansfield
K G
KG
Nickerson
C E
CE
Lifton
M A
MA
Alvarez
X
X
Lackner
A A
AA
Letvin
N L
NL
D000818:Animals; D001706:Biopsy; D016827:CD8 Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D004064:Digestive System / Q000276:immunology*; D004386:Duodenum / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D015683:Gene Products, gag / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D007082:Ileum / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D007583:Jejunum / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008253:Macaca mulatta; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D016097:Simian Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000276:immunology*; D015302:Simian Immunodeficiency Virus / Q000276:immunology*; D013602:T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / Q000276:immunology*
D016827:CD8 Antigens; D015683:Gene Products, gag