Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

Characterization of CD4(+) CTLs ex vivo.

Victor Appay1, John J Zaunders, Laura Papagno

  • 1Medical Research Council Human Immunology Unit, Institute of Molecular Medicine, John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, United Kingdom. vappay@gwmail.jr2.ox.ac.uk

Journal of Immunology (Baltimore, Md. : 1950)
|May 23, 2002
PubMed
Summary

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

BLIMP-1 and CD39 expression define human effector memory regulatory T cells in blood and recall responses to viruses.

Immunology and cell biology·2026
Same author

HLA-E-restricted T cells primed by a modified HLA-B*57:01 restricted HIV-1 peptide suppress HIV-1 replication.

JCI insight·2026
Same author

Optimizing metabolic management on integrase-based ART (OPTIMAR): study protocol for a 2 × 2 factorial, randomised, double-blind placebo-controlled trial to compare the addition of dapagliflozin versus placebo, and rosuvastatin plus ezetimibe versus pitavastatin, in people with HIV on integrase strand transfer inhibitor-based antiretroviral therapy with elevated metabolic risk.

Trials·2026
Same author

Nonclassical MHC-I Molecules: Emerging Therapeutic Targets in Next-Generation Immunotherapy.

MedComm·2026
Same author

Comparison of immunity-boosting regimens for COVID-19 upon initiation of immunosuppressive therapy (CIRCUIT): study protocol for a randomised, controlled clinical trial.

BMJ open·2026
Same author

Comparative analysis of clinically approved lipid nanoparticles for intranasal siRNA delivery against SARS-CoV-2.

Drug delivery and translational research·2026

Cytotoxic CD4(+) T cells, previously debated, are found in circulation and expand during chronic viral infections like HIV. These cells possess perforin-mediated killing potential, suggesting a significant role in the immune response.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Cellular Biology

Background:

  • Cytotoxic CD8(+) T cells and NK cells are key in pathogen defense.
  • The in vivo role of cytotoxic CD4(+) T cells, despite in vitro evidence, remains debated.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the in vivo existence and relevance of cytotoxic CD4(+) T cells.
  • To characterize the phenotype and function of these cells in healthy and infected individuals.

Main Methods:

  • Circulating CD4(+) T cells were analyzed in healthy donors and patients with chronic viral infections.
  • Ex vivo analysis assessed perforin expression and cytotoxic potential.

Main Results:

  • A population of CD4(+) perforin(+) T cells was identified in circulation.
  • These cells were expanded in individuals with chronic viral infections, including HIV.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Ex vivo analysis confirmed their cytotoxic potential via perforin release.
  • The cells exhibited a distinct phenotype, resembling end-stage differentiated, antigen-experienced T cells.

    • Conclusions:

    • Cytotoxic CD4(+) T cells exist in vivo and are significantly expanded during chronic viral infections.
    • Their presence suggests a crucial role in the immune response to persistent viral pathogens.