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Herpes simplex virus type 1-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes recognize virus nonstructural proteins.
S Martin1, R J Courtney, G Fowler
1Department of Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tennessee, Knoxville 37996-0845.
Journal of Virology
|July 1, 1988
Summary
Cytotoxic T cells primarily target herpes simplex virus type 1 immediate-early proteins, not input antigens. This highlights the crucial role of nonstructural viral proteins in initiating antiviral immunity.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Virology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) establishes lifelong infections.
- Understanding T cell responses to HSV-1 is crucial for developing effective antiviral therapies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the specificity of cytotoxic T cells against HSV-1 infected cells.
- To determine the role of immediate-early (IE) proteins in T cell recognition during HSV-1 infection.
Main Methods:
- Utilized target cells expressing different HSV-1 antigens (input, permissive infection, interrupted infection with IE proteins).
- Assessed cytotoxic T cell recognition of these target cells using T cell populations from infected mouse lymph nodes.
Main Results:
- A small fraction of T cells recognized input viral antigens.
- A significant proportion (20-35%) of T cells recognized target cells expressing HSV-1 immediate-early proteins.
- Recognition occurred even without serologically detectable viral antigens on the cell surface.
Conclusions:
- HSV-1 specific cytotoxic T cells predominantly recognize nonstructural immediate-early proteins.
- Immediate-early proteins play a significant role in initiating antiviral immunity against HSV-1 in vivo.