title: Dendritic cells cross-presenting viral antigens derived from autologous cells as a sensitive tool for visualization of human cytomegalovirus-reactive CD8+ T cells.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  CD8+ T lymphocytes are essential to contain viral infections, such as human cytomegalovirus (HCMV). To visualize these clinically important effector cells, we used dendritic cells (DC), which efficiently present exogenous antigens by MHC class I molecules (cross-presentation).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Immature DC were fed with apoptotic debris derived from autologous HCMV-infected macrophages. After maturation, the antigen-loaded DC were used to stimulate lymphocytes from the same donor. We could detect high numbers of interferon-gamma producing CD8+ T cells in HCMV-seropositive but not in HCMV-seronegative healthy individuals and in only one of five HCMV-seropositive immunosuppressed patients. In contrast, autologous DC infected with live HCMV virions stimulated antiviral CD8+ T lymphocytes to a lesser extent.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We suggest that DC cross-presenting HCMV antigens derived from autologous macrophages could serve as a valuable tool to monitor and possibly enhance the antiviral T-cell response in patients after transplantation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Virology, Charité Medical School, Humboldt University, Berlin, Germany.
authors.forename: Martin J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Raftery
authors.forename: Marina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Schwab
authors.forename: Simone
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Diesner
authors.forename: Gerlinde
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Egerer
authors.forename: Gunther
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Schönrich
mesh_terms: D000938:Antigen-Presenting Cells / Q000276:immunology* / Q000821:virology; D000956:Antigens, Viral / Q000032:analysis*; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000382:microbiology / Q000821:virology*; D002460:Cell Line; D003587:Cytomegalovirus / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000276:immunology*; D004730:Endothelium, Vascular / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D008264:Macrophages / Q000821:virology; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
chemical_list: D000956:Antigens, Viral