title: Cutting edge: shift in antigen dependence by an antiviral MHC class Ib-restricted CD8 T cell response during persistent viral infection.
abstract: The requirement for Ag in maintaining memory CD8 T cells often differs between infections that are acutely resolved and those that persist. Using the mouse polyoma virus (PyV) persistent infection model, we recently described a novel CD8 T cell response directed to a PyV peptide presented by Q9, an MHC class Ib molecule. This antiviral Q9-restricted CD8 T cell response is characterized by a 3-mo expansion phase followed by a long-term plateau phase. In this study, we demonstrate that viral Ag is required for this protracted inflation phase but is dispensable for the maintenance of this Q9-restricted CD8 T cell response. Moreover, proliferation by memory T cells, not recruitment of naive PyV-specific T cells, is primarily responsible for Q9-restricted, anti-PyV CD8 T cell inflation. These data reveal a dynamic shift in Ag dependence by an MHC class Ib-restricted memory CD8 T cell response during a persistent viral infection.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA.
authors.forename: Phillip A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Swanson
authors.forename: Amelia R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Hofstetter
authors.forename: Jarad J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Wilson
authors.forename: Aron E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Lukacher
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017951:Antigen Presentation / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000821:virology; D036022:Capsid Proteins / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D005260:Female; D006183:H-2 Antigens / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D011120:Polyomavirus / Q000276:immunology*; D027601:Polyomavirus Infections / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology; D013997:Time Factors; D014412:Tumor Virus Infections / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology
chemical_list: D036022:Capsid Proteins; D006183:H-2 Antigens; C032876:H-2Kb protein, mouse; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I; C032907:Q surface antigens; C442543:VP2 protein, Polyomavirus