Antibody-independent control of gamma-herpesvirus latency via B cell induction of anti-viral T cell responses.
B cells can use antibody-dependent mechanisms to control latent viral infections. It is unknown whether this represents the sole function of B cells during chronic viral infection. We report here that hen egg lysozyme (HEL)-specific B cells can contribute to the control of murine gamma-herpesvirus 68 (gammaHV68) latency without producing anti-viral antibody. HEL-specific B cells normalized defects in T cell numbers and proliferation observed in B cell-/- mice during the early phase of gammaHV68 latency. HEL-specific B cells also reversed defects in CD8 and CD4 T cell cytokine production observed in B cell-/- mice, generating CD8 and CD4 T cells necessary for control of latency. Furthermore, HEL-specific B cells were able to present virally encoded antigen to CD8 T cells. Therefore, B cells have antibody independent functions, including antigen presentation, that are important for control of gamma-herpesvirus latency. Exploitation of this property of B cells may allow enhanced vaccine responses to chronic virus infection.
McClellan
Kelly B
KB
Department of Pathology and Immunology, Washington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, Missouri, USA.
Gangappa
Shivaprakash
S
Speck
Samuel H
SH
Virgin
Herbert W
HW
D000818:Animals; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000276:immunology; D000938:Antigen-Presenting Cells / Q000276:immunology; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D002452:Cell Count; D003429:Cross Reactions; D000939:Epitopes; D018142:Gammaherpesvirinae / Q000502:physiology*; D016679:Genome, Viral; D007111:Immunity, Cellular / Q000502:physiology*; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000276:immunology*; D051379:Mice; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains; D009113:Muramidase / Q000276:immunology; D010529:Peritoneal Cavity / Q000166:cytology / Q000821:virology; D013154:Spleen / Q000166:cytology / Q000821:virology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D014775:Virus Activation; D017735:Virus Latency / Q000502:physiology*
D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D000939:Epitopes; C421864:hen egg lysozyme; D009113:Muramidase