Antigen presenting and effector cell cluster formation in BALB/c mice during mousepox: model studies*
L Szulc1, A Boratynska, L Martyniszyn
1Division of Immunology, Department of Preclinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences - SGGW, Warsaw, Poland.
Aims:
The objective of this study was to access APC-effector cell cluster formation in genetically susceptible BALB/c (H-2(d) ) mice infected with highly virulent Moscow strain of ectromelia virus (ECTV-MOS) and estimate of lymphocyte activation based upon expression of CD62L and CD44 molecules.
Methods And Results:
APC-effector cell clusters were obtained by enzymatic digestion from draining lymph nodes (DLNs) and spleens of BALB/c mice. We found that APCs infected with ECTV-MOS form unstable clusters with effector cells, and thus may diminish T-cell activation at the early stage of mousepox. Different types of effector cells including T-cell subsets (CD4(+) and CD8(+) ), B cells and polymorphonuclear cells colocalize within individual clusters. Increase in CD19(+) B cells within APC-effector cell clusters during severe clinical mousepox may reflect B-cell activation.
Conclusions:
Our studies indicated vigorous changes in APC-effector cell cluster formation in genetically susceptible BALB/c mice during mousepox (up to 2 weeks). ECTV-MOS can modulate APC interactions with effector cells and consequently may impair T-cell activation probably owing to unstable cluster formation and/or subsequent weak stimulation by infected APCs at the early stages of mousepox.
Significance And Impact Of The Study:
This is the first report of APC-effector cell cluster formation in BALB/c mice during mousepox. It gives us a new light on the mutual cell-cell interactions and development of the immune response during ECTV-MOS infection.
Insights
Ectromelia virus (ECTV-MOS) infection in mice causes unstable APC-effector cell clusters, potentially impairing T-cell activation during mousepox. This study reveals new insights into cell interactions during ECTV-MOS infection.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Virology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Mousepox, caused by ectromelia virus (ECTV), is a contagious disease affecting rodents.
- Understanding immune cell interactions is crucial for developing effective treatments against viral infections.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the formation of antigen-presenting cell (APC)-effector cell clusters in BALB/c mice infected with ECTV-MOS.
- To assess lymphocyte activation by analyzing CD62L and CD44 molecule expression.
Main Methods:
- APC-effector cell clusters were isolated from draining lymph nodes and spleens of infected BALB/c mice via enzymatic digestion.
- Lymphocyte activation was estimated by quantifying CD62L and CD44 expression on immune cells within clusters.
Main Results:
- ECTV-MOS-infected APCs formed unstable clusters with effector cells, potentially hindering early T-cell activation in mousepox.
- Clusters contained diverse effector cells, including CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells, B cells, and polymorphonuclear cells.
- An increase in CD19(+) B cells within clusters during severe mousepox suggested B-cell activation.
Conclusions:
- Significant alterations in APC-effector cell cluster formation were observed in BALB/c mice during the first two weeks of mousepox.
- ECTV-MOS infection modulates APC-effector cell interactions, possibly impairing T-cell activation through unstable clusters and weak stimulation by infected APCs.
- This study provides novel insights into cell-cell interactions and immune responses during ECTV-MOS infection in BALB/c mice.
