Virus-specific CD4+ T cells: ready for direct attack.
CD4+ T cells are classically thought to orchestrate adaptive immune responses. But recent studies demonstrate that they can also kill infected cells directly. A new paper shows that highly efficient processing of Epstein Barr virus (EBV) glycoproteins for presentation on MHC class II makes virus-transformed B cells susceptible to lysis by CD4+ T cells. Thus, antiviral vaccines should aim to stimulate both helper and cytolytic CD4+ T cells.
Laboratory of Viral Immunobiology and Christopher H. Browne Center for Immunology and Immune Diseases, The Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10021, USA.
Kevin N
KN
Heller
Cagan
C
Gurer
Christian
C
Münz
D000818:Animals; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology* / Q000821:virology*; D003602:Cytotoxicity, Immunologic / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007111:Immunity, Cellular