Restoring function in exhausted CD8 T cells during chronic viral infection.
Functional impairment of antigen-specific T cells is a defining characteristic of many chronic infections, but the underlying mechanisms of T-cell dysfunction are not well understood. To address this question, we analysed genes expressed in functionally impaired virus-specific CD8 T cells present in mice chronically infected with lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV), and compared these with the gene profile of functional memory CD8 T cells. Here we report that PD-1 (programmed death 1; also known as Pdcd1) was selectively upregulated by the exhausted T cells, and that in vivo administration of antibodies that blocked the interaction of this inhibitory receptor with its ligand, PD-L1 (also known as B7-H1), enhanced T-cell responses. Notably, we found that even in persistently infected mice that were lacking CD4 T-cell help, blockade of the PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitory pathway had a beneficial effect on the 'helpless' CD8 T cells, restoring their ability to undergo proliferation, secrete cytokines, kill infected cells and decrease viral load. Blockade of the CTLA-4 (cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4) inhibitory pathway had no effect on either T-cell function or viral control. These studies identify a specific mechanism of T-cell exhaustion and define a potentially effective immunological strategy for the treatment of chronic viral infections.
Barber
Daniel L
DL
Emory Vaccine Center and Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, USA.
Wherry
E John
EJ
Masopust
David
D
Zhu
Baogong
B
Allison
James P
JP
Sharpe
Arlene H
AH
Freeman
Gordon J
GJ
Ahmed
Rafi
R
D000818:Animals; D015703:Antigens, CD; D000943:Antigens, Differentiation / Q000276:immunology; D000954:Antigens, Surface / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D051017:Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D018122:B7-1 Antigen / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D060890:B7-H1 Antigen; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology*; D060908:CTLA-4 Antigen; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D007108:Immune Tolerance / Q000276:immunology; D008216:Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis / Q000276:immunology; D008217:Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000172:deficiency / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D010455:Peptides / Q000172:deficiency / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D061026:Programmed Cell Death 1 Receptor; D013379:Substrate Specificity; D014777:Virus Diseases / Q000276:immunology*
D015703:Antigens, CD; D000943:Antigens, Differentiation; D000954:Antigens, Surface; D051017:Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins; D018122:B7-1 Antigen; D060890:B7-H1 Antigen; D060908:CTLA-4 Antigen; C498919:Cd274 protein, mouse; C556707:Ctla4 protein, mouse; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; C491383:Pdcd1 protein, mouse; D010455:Peptides; D061026:Programmed Cell Death 1 Receptor