A distinct population of nonphagocytic and low level CD4+ null lymphocytes produce IFN-alpha after stimulation by

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 9, 2026

Generation of Multivirus-specific T Cells to Prevent/treat Viral Infections after Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant
08:52

Generation of Multivirus-specific T Cells to Prevent/treat Viral Infections after Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant

Published on: May 27, 2011

K Sandberg1, P Matsson, G V Alm

  • 1Department of Veterinary Microbiology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Uppsala.

Journal of Immunology (Baltimore, Md. : 1950)
|August 1, 1990
PubMed

Insights

Human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) produce interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) when exposed to viruses. Two distinct cell types were identified: monocytes responding to Sendai virus (SV) and a novel population responding robustly to herpes simplex virus (HSV).

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Virology
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) is crucial for antiviral defense.
  • Identifying specific cell populations responsible for IFN-alpha production is key to understanding immune responses.
  • Human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) are a primary source of IFN-alpha.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To characterize and differentiate the cells within human PBMC that produce IFN-alpha upon viral stimulation.
  • To investigate the influence of different viral stimuli (Herpes Simplex Virus - HSV, Sendai Virus - SV) and phagocytic activity on IFN-alpha production.
  • To identify novel cell populations involved in IFN-alpha induction.

Main Methods:

  • PBMC stimulation with HSV or SV for 6 hours.
  • Flow cytometry analysis.
  • In situ hybridization to detect IFN-alpha mRNA.
  • Phagocytosis assays using latex particles.
  • Cell sorting based on CD3 and CD4 markers.
  • Analysis of CD14 antigen expression.

Main Results:

  • Monocytes produced IFN-alpha in response to SV, but this was inhibited by latex particle phagocytosis.
  • Latex particles enhanced IFN-alpha production induced by fixed virus or intact HSV.
  • HSV-induced IFN-alpha producing cells (IPC) did not express CD14.
  • A distinct, infrequent CD3-, CD4-low PBMC population (1.4% of total) showed a 50-fold higher frequency of IPC and distinct light scatter properties, termed natural IFN-alpha producing cells (NIPC).

Conclusions:

  • Human PBMC contain at least two distinct populations of IFN-alpha producing cells.
  • Monocytes are stimulated by viruses like SV, with their IFN-alpha production modulated by phagocytosis.
  • A novel, highly efficient population of NIPC is activated by stimuli such as HSV, representing a significant finding in innate immunity research.

More Related Videos

Mouse Naïve CD4+ T Cell Isolation and In vitro Differentiation into T Cell Subsets07:12

Mouse Naïve CD4+ T Cell Isolation and In vitro Differentiation into T Cell Subsets

Published on: April 16, 2015

Accessing Early Differentiation of Virus-Specific Follicular Helper CD4+ T Cell in Acute LCMV-Infected Mice05:03

Accessing Early Differentiation of Virus-Specific Follicular Helper CD4+ T Cell in Acute LCMV-Infected Mice

Published on: April 26, 2024

Related Concept Videos

Cell-mediated Immune Responses01:40

Cell-mediated Immune Responses

Overview
Cells of the Innate Immune Response01:28

Cells of the Innate Immune Response

The innate immune response is an immediate and non-specific response against pathogens, acting swiftly to prevent the spread of infections. The primary cells involved in this response are phagocytes and natural killer (NK) cells.
Phagocytes
Phagocytes police the peripheral tissues by removing cellular debris and responding to the invasion of foreign substances or pathogens. Many phagocytes attack and remove microorganisms even before lymphocytes detect them. The human body has two general...
Cells of the Adaptive Immune Response01:23

Cells of the Adaptive Immune Response

The T and B lymphocytes of the adaptive immune system develop from common lymphoid progenitor cells in the bone marrow. These progenitors give rise to precursors that eventually develop into both T and B lymphocytes. As these precursors mature, they gain the ability to detect and respond to foreign antigens in the body, a process known as immunocompetence. Additionally, these precursors acquire self-tolerance, a process that ensures they do not react to self-antigens. This intricate system...
T Cell Activation and Clonal Selection01:22

T Cell Activation and Clonal Selection

T cells are integral to our adaptive immune system, recognizing and effectively responding to foreign antigens. T cell activation and clonal selection are pivotal in orchestrating this immune response. This article elucidates these mechanisms, detailing the roles of cluster of differentiation (CD) markers, major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules, costimulatory signals, and the process of clonal selection.
Naive T cells that have not yet encountered an antigen express two primary CD...
T Cell Types and Functions01:24

T Cell Types and Functions

When T cells with CD4 markers are activated, they give rise to two types of effector cells: helper T cells and regulatory T cells. Meanwhile, T cells with CD8 markers differentiate into effector cytotoxic T cells. The differentiation of CD4 T cells into helper T cell subsets, such as Th1, Th2, and Th17 cells, is dependent on the antigen type, antigen-presenting cell, and regulatory cytokines.
Th1 cells stimulate dendritic cells to express necessary co-stimulatory molecules on their surfaces for...
Immune Response Against Viral Pathogens01:29

Immune Response Against Viral Pathogens

The immune system's response to viral infections is a complex and coordinated process involving natural killer (NK) cells, T cell-mediated responses, and antibody-mediated responses.
NK Cells
NK cells are a crucial part of our innate immune system, acting as the first line of defense against viral infections. These cells can recognize and kill infected cells without prior exposure to the virus, effectively slowing down the spread of infection. Additionally, NK cells produce proinflammatory...