Functional simian immunodeficiency virus Gag-specific CD8+ intraepithelial lymphocytes in the mucosae of SIVmac251- or simian-human immunodeficiency virus KU2-infected macaques.
The vaginal and rectal mucosae are the first line of cellular immune defense to sexually transmitted human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) entry. Thus, intraepithelial lymphocytes (IELs) may be important in the immune response to HIV infection. Here we investigated whether functional IELs in mucosal compartments could be visualized by direct staining with a tetrameric complex specific for the simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) immunodominant Gag epitope in either separated IEL cells or tissues of macaques infected with SIVmac251. Of the 15 Mamu-A*01-positive macaques studied here, eight were chronically infected with either SIVmac251 or simian-human immunodeficiency virus (SHIV) KU2 and the remaining seven were exposed mucosally to SIVmac251 and sacrificed within 48 h to assess the local immune response. Gag-specific CD8+ T-cells were found in separated IELs from the rectum, colon, jejunum, and vagina of most infected animals. Direct staining of tetramers also revealed their presence in intact tissue. These Gag-specific IELs expressed the activation marker CD69 and produced IFN-gamma, suggesting an active immune response in this locale.
Basic Research Laboratory, National Cancer Institute, 41/D804, Bethesda, MD 20892-5055, USA. Istevceva@yahoo.com
Liljana
L
Stevceva
Marcin
M
Moniuszko
Xavier
X
Alvarez
Andrew A
AA
Lackner
Genoveffa
G
Franchini
D000818:Animals; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000032:analysis; D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte / Q000032:analysis; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003106:Colon / Q000276:immunology; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004848:Epithelium / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D015683:Gene Products, gag / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics; D006678:HIV / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D018928:Immunity, Mucosal; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000032:analysis; D007583:Jejunum / Q000276:immunology; D037181:Lectins, C-Type; D008253:Macaca mulatta; D009092:Mucous Membrane / Q000276:immunology; D016865:Reassortant Viruses; D012007:Rectum / Q000276:immunology; D016097:Simian Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000276:immunology*; D015302:Simian Immunodeficiency Virus / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D014621:Vagina / Q000276:immunology; D000099192:CD69 Antigens
D015703:Antigens, CD; D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte; D015683:Gene Products, gag; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I; D007371:Interferon-gamma; D037181:Lectins, C-Type; D000099192:CD69 Antigens; C092249:Mamu-B 01 antigen, Macaca mulatta