Mononucleosis and antigen-driven T cell responses have different requirements for interleukin-2 signaling in murine gammaherpesvirus infection.
Interleukin-2 (IL-2) has been implicated as being necessary for the optimal formation of primary CD8(+) T cell responses against various pathogens. Here we have examined the role that IL-2 signaling plays in several aspects of a CD8(+) T cell response against murine gammaherpesvirus 68 (MHV-68). Exposure to MHV-68 causes a persistent infection, along with infectious mononucleosis, providing a model for studying these processes in mice. Our study indicates that CD25 is necessary for optimal expansion of the antigen-specific CD8(+) T cell response but not for the long-term memory response. Contrastingly, IL-2 signaling through CD25 is absolutely required for CD8(+) T cell mononucleosis.
Molloy
Michael
M
Dartmouth Medical School, Department of Microbiology & Immunology, 1 Medical Center Drive, Lebanon, NH 03756, USA.
Zhang
Weijun
W
Usherwood
Edward
E
D000818:Animals; D000956:Antigens, Viral; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D006566:Herpesviridae Infections / Q000276:immunology* / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D007244:Infectious Mononucleosis / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000276:immunology*; D053645:Interleukin-2 Receptor alpha Subunit / Q000172:deficiency / Q000235:genetics; D051379:Mice; D020297:Mice, Congenic; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D018144:Rhadinovirus / Q000276:immunology; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000276:immunology; D014412:Tumor Virus Infections / Q000276:immunology* / Q000821:virology
D000956:Antigens, Viral; C508018:Il2ra protein, mouse; D007376:Interleukin-2; D053645:Interleukin-2 Receptor alpha Subunit