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Updated: Jan 29, 2026
07:17
Phenotypic and Functional Analysis of Activated Regulatory T Cells Isolated from Chronic Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis Virus-infected Mice
Published on: June 22, 2016
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Chronic virus infection compromises memory bystander T cell function in an IL-6/STAT1-dependent manner
Isabel Barnstorf1, Mariana Borsa1, Nicolas Baumann1
1Institute of Microbiology, ETH Zürich, Zürich, Switzerland.
The Journal of Experimental Medicine
|February 13, 2019
Summary
Chronic viral infections impair immune memory. This study shows chronic LCMV infection alters bystander CD8+ T cells, reducing their function and numbers, impacting future immune responses.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Virology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Chronic viral infections are common and known to impair heterologous immunity.
- Understanding their impact on immune memory is crucial for public health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how chronic lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) infection affects the phenotype and function of memory bystander CD8+ T cells.
Main Methods:
- Studied the effects of active chronic LCMV infection in mice.
- Analyzed changes in memory bystander CD8+ T cell numbers, phenotype, and function.
- Investigated the role of IL-6 and STAT1 signaling.
Main Results:
- Chronic LCMV infection significantly altered memory bystander CD8+ T cell numbers and phenotype.
- Observed up-regulation of effector/exhausted markers, mediated by IL-6 and STAT1.
- Found reduced cytokine production and secondary expansion capacity in bystander CD8+ T cells.
Conclusions:
- Chronic viral infections diminish the memory potential of bystander CD8+ T cells through cell-extrinsic mechanisms.
- Findings offer new insights for improving immunity and vaccination strategies during chronic viral infections.
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