title: Influenza A virus-specific CD8 T-cell responses: from induction to function.
abstract: Seasonal influenza virus infection is a leading cause of illness and mortality in young children and the elderly each year. Current influenza vaccines generate protective antibody responses; however, these must be given annually to provide protection against serologically distinct viruses. By contrast, CD8(+) T cells are capable of recognizing conserved antigenic determinants within the influenza virion and, as such, may provide protection against a number of variant strains of the virus. CD8(+) T cells play a critical key role in controlling and resolving influenza virus infections via the production of cytokines and cytolytic mediators. This article focuses on the induction of the influenza-specific CD8(+) T-cell response and how these cells acquire and maintain effector function after induction. Moreover, we discuss how cytotoxic T-lymphocyte function correlates with protection following vaccination.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology & Immunology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, 3010, Australia.
authors.forename: Mr
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Olson
authors.forename: Be
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Russ
authors.forename: Pc
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Doherty
authors.forename: Sj
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Turner
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Stambas