title: Primary Epstein-Barr virus infection does not erode preexisting CD8⁺ T cell memory in humans.
abstract: Acute Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection results in an unusually robust CD8(+) T cell response in young adults. Based on mouse studies, such a response would be predicted to result in attrition of preexisting memory to heterologous infections like influenza A (Flu) and cytomegalovirus (CMV). Furthermore, many studies have attempted to define the lymphocytosis that occurs during acute EBV infection in humans, but it is unclear whether bystander T cells contribute to it. To address these issues, we performed a longitudinal prospective study of primary EBV infection in humans. During acute EBV infection, both preexisting CMV- and Flu-specific memory CD8(+) T cells showed signs of bystander activation, including up-regulation of granzyme B. However, they generally did not expand, suggesting that the profound CD8(+) lymphocytosis associated with acute EBV infection is composed largely of EBV-specific T cells. Importantly, the numbers of CMV- and Flu-specific T cells were comparable before and after acute EBV infection. The data support the concept that, in humans, a robust CD8(+) T cell response creates a new memory CD8(+) T cell niche without substantially depleting preexisting memory for heterologous infections.
authors.affiliation: Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA.
authors.forename: Oludare A
authors.initials: OA
authors.lastname: Odumade
authors.forename: Jennifer A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Knight
authors.forename: David O
authors.initials: DO
authors.lastname: Schmeling
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Masopust
authors.forename: Henry H
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Balfour
authors.forename: Kristin A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Hogquist
mesh_terms: D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D003586:Cytomegalovirus Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology; D020031:Epstein-Barr Virus Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007156:Immunologic Memory; D009980:Influenza A virus / Q000276:immunology; D007251:Influenza, Human / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D018655:Lymphocyte Count; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013045:Species Specificity; D055815:Young Adult