title: Differential targeting and shifts in the immunodominance of Epstein-Barr virus--specific CD8 and CD4 T cell responses during acute and persistent infection.
abstract: The evolution of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-specific T cell responses that occurs during the acute and persistent stages of infection remains poorly characterized despite its importance for developing immune interventions for EBV-associated disorders. This study assessed T cell responses to 113 EBV-derived epitopes in 40 subjects with acute or persistent EBV infection. Although no significant differences were seen in the breadth of CD8 and CD4 T cell responses, their magnitude differed significantly over time; acutely infected subjects generated especially strong responses to lytic viral antigens. The cross-sectional shift in immunodominance was also confirmed in subjects followed longitudinally from acute to persistent infection. In addition, human leukocyte antigen-matched siblings with discordant histories of symptomatic EBV infection showed no significant differences in their response patterns, suggesting that symptomatic EBV infection does not lead to unique persistent-stage responses. These data provide an assessment of immunodominance patterns and guidance for developing immunotherapeutic interventions for EBV-associated disorders.
authors.affiliation: Partners AIDS Research Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Charlestown, Massachusetts 02129, USA.
authors.forename: Tonia
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Woodberry
authors.forename: Todd J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Suscovich
authors.forename: Leah M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Henry
authors.forename: Jennifer K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Davis
authors.forename: Nicole
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Frahm
authors.forename: Bruce D
authors.initials: BD
authors.lastname: Walker
authors.forename: David T
authors.initials: DT
authors.lastname: Scadden
authors.forename: Frederick
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Brander
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D018984:Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D020031:Epstein-Barr Virus Infections / Q000276:immunology*; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human / Q000276:immunology* / Q000502:physiology; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II; D006801:Humans; D016056:Immunodominant Epitopes / Q000276:immunology*; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data
chemical_list: D018984:Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II; D016056:Immunodominant Epitopes