Generation of antifungal effector CD8+ T cells in the absence of CD4+ T cells during Cryptococcus neoformans infection.
Immunity to the opportunistic fungus Cryptococcus neoformans is dependent on cell-mediated immunity. Individuals with defects in cellular immunity, CD4(+) T cells in particular, are susceptible to infection with this pathogen. In host defense against a number of pathogens, CD8(+) T cell responses are dependent upon CD4(+) T cell help. The goal of these studies was to determine whether CD4(+) T cells are required for the generation of antifungal CD8(+) T cell effectors during pulmonary C. neoformans infection. Using a murine intratracheal infection model, our results demonstrated that CD4(+) T cells were not required for the expansion and trafficking of CD8(+) T cells to the site of infection. CD4(+) T cells were also not required for the generation of IFN-gamma-producing CD8(+) T cell effectors in the lungs. In CD4(-) mice, depletion of CD8(+) T cells resulted in increased intracellular infection of pulmonary macrophages by C. neoformans, increasing the pulmonary burden of the infection. Neutralization of IFN-gamma in CD4(-)CD8(+) mice similarly increased macrophage infection by C. neoformans, thereby blocking the protection provided by CD8(+) T cells. Altogether, these data support the hypothesis that effector CD8(+) T cell function is independent of CD4(+) T cells and that IFN-gamma production from CD8(+) T cells plays a role in controlling C. neoformans by limiting survival of C. neoformans within macrophages.
Lindell
Dennis M
DM
Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.
Moore
Thomas A
TA
McDonald
Roderick A
RA
Toews
Galen B
GB
Huffnagle
Gary B
GB
D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000382:microbiology*; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000276:immunology*; D002465:Cell Movement / Q000276:immunology; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D003453:Cryptococcosis / Q000276:immunology* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003455:Cryptococcus neoformans / Q000254:growth & development / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000172:deficiency / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology; D007424:Intracellular Fluid / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology; D008168:Lung / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000276:immunology; D008212:Lymphocyte Depletion / Q000379:methods; D008231:Lymphopenia / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D016676:Macrophages, Alveolar / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology; D051379:Mice; D008808:Mice, Inbred CBA
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D007371:Interferon-gamma