Antigen-dependent proliferation and cytokine induction in respiratory syncytial virus-infected cotton rats reflect the presence of effector-memory T cells.
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a major cause of lower airway disease in infants and children. Immunity to RSV is not long lasting, resulting in re-occurring infections throughout life. Effective long-lived immunity results when central-memory T cells that proliferate vigorously and secrete IL-2 are present. In contrast, effector-memory T cells that mainly produce IFN-gamma, facilitate virus clearance but are not long lived. To identify the type of memory response induced after RSV-A (Long) infection, we characterized the kinetics of the antigen-specific immune response and identified the types of cytokines induced. RSV-specific lymphocytic proliferation following primary and secondary infection was similar, and in both cases responses waned within a short period of time. In addition, mRNA for IFN-gamma but not IL-2 was induced in RSV-specific CD4(+) T cells. This supports the idea that the presence of effector-memory rather than central-memory T cells contributes to the ineffectiveness of the immune response to RSV.
Richter
Bettina W M
BW
Virion Systems, Inc., Rockville, MD 20850-3347, USA.
Onuska
Jaya M
JM
Niewiesk
Stefan
S
Prince
Gregory A
GA
Eichelberger
Maryna C
MC
D000818:Animals; D016207:Cytokines / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D007156:Immunologic Memory; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000276:immunology; D018357:Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D012136:Respiratory Syncytial Viruses / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology*; D016205:Sigmodontinae; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology*
D016207:Cytokines; D007371:Interferon-gamma