Perforin expression in the gastrointestinal mucosa is limited to acute simian immunodeficiency virus infection.
Perforin-mediated cytotoxicity is a major effector function of virus-specific CD8 T cells. We have investigated the expression of perforin in the gut, an important site of simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) pathogenesis, during experimental SIV infection of rhesus macaques. We observed significant increases in perforin protein and mRNA expression levels in the colons of SIV-infected macaques as early as 21 days after infection. However, during chronic infection, despite ongoing viral replication, perforin expression returned to levels similar to those detected in SIV-naïve animals. These findings demonstrate the presence of a robust perforin-positive response in gastrointestinal CD8 T cells during acute, but not chronic, SIV infection.
Quigley
Máire F
MF
Center for Infection Medicine, Department of Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Huddinge, Stockholm, Sweden.
Abel
Kristina
K
Zuber
Bartek
B
Miller
Christopher J
CJ
Sandberg
Johan K
JK
Shacklett
Barbara L
BL
D000208:Acute Disease; D000818:Animals; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D003106:Colon / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D005753:Gastric Mucosa / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D008251:Macaca; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D054353:Perforin; D052899:Pore Forming Cytotoxic Proteins; D016097:Simian Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000276:immunology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000821:virology; D015302:Simian Immunodeficiency Virus / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D013154:Spleen / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism
D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D052899:Pore Forming Cytotoxic Proteins; D054353:Perforin