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Accessing complexity: the dynamics of virus-specific T cell responses.
1Department of Immunology, St Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee 38105, USA. peter.doherty@stjude.org
Annual Review of Immunology
|June 3, 2000
Summary
Tetrameric complexes allow direct measurement of virus-specific CD8(+) T cells, revealing tenfold higher numbers than previously thought. This breakthrough enhances understanding of cell-mediated immunity during infections.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Virology
- Cellular Biology
Background:
- Immune system cellular dynamics are complex and challenging to quantify.
- Previous methods underestimated the prevalence of antigen-specific CD8(+) T cells.
Purpose of the Study:
- To detail the application of MHC class I + peptide tetramers for direct CD8(+) T cell analysis.
- To report on the quantitative and qualitative insights gained from tetramer-based T cell studies.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing tetrameric complexes of MHC class I glycoprotein + peptide for direct staining of antigen-specific CD8(+) T cells.
- Analyzing freshly isolated lymphocytes from hosts with natural and experimental viral infections.
Main Results:
- Tetramer staining revealed that virus-specific CD8(+) T cell numbers are over tenfold higher than previously estimated.
- Elevated CD8(+) T cell populations are detectable in peripheral blood, especially during persistent infections.
- The method allows for the measurement of CD8(+) T cell cycling and facilitates dissection of T cell diversity.
Conclusions:
- Tetrameric complexes represent a significant advancement in studying cellular dynamics of the immune response.
- Current perceptions of virus-specific cell-mediated immunity are rapidly evolving due to these new analytical capabilities.
- Future applications may extend to the analysis of CD4(+) T cell populations.