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Dissecting Innate Immune Signaling in Viral Evasion of Cytokine Production
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CD8+ T cell-derived IFN-γ prevents infection by a second heterologous virus

Laura Valentine1, Rashaun Potts, Mary Premenko-Lanier

  • 1Division of Experimental Medicine, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94110, USA.

Journal of Immunology (Baltimore, Md. : 1950)
|November 9, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Persistent lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) infection in mice does not impair immunity against other viruses. Instead, a primary LCMV infection induces sterilizing immunity, preventing subsequent infections.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Virology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Persistent viral infections are often linked to impaired immune responses against new pathogens.
  • Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) is a model for human persistent infections, and LCMV-infected mice show temporary defects in immunity to other viruses.
  • It is commonly believed that LCMV infection causes a general immunosuppressed state.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate whether chronic LCMV infection compromises protective immunity against unrelated viral challenges.
  • To re-evaluate the concept of immune suppression during persistent viral infections.

Main Methods:

  • Mice were infected with LCMV to establish chronic infection.
  • LCMV-infected mice were subsequently challenged with vaccinia virus.
  • Immune responses, including CD8(+) T cell activity and IFN-γ production, were analyzed.

Main Results:

  • LCMV-infected mice successfully cleared vaccinia virus.
  • This clearance was dependent on CD8(+) T cells producing interferon-gamma (IFN-γ).
  • The findings indicate that chronic LCMV infection does not abolish protective immunity against heterologous viruses.

Conclusions:

  • Chronic LCMV infection does not necessarily lead to a broadly immunosuppressed state.
  • A primary LCMV infection can induce a sterilizing immunity that protects against secondary infections.
  • Current understanding of immune suppression during persistent viral infections may need revision.

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