Persistent T Cell Immunity Following Nipah Virus Infection: Evidence From Malaysian Survivors

Area of Science:

• Virology
• Immunology
• Neuroscience

Background:

• Nipah virus (NiV) infection elicits robust humoral immunity.
• The long-term durability of NiV-specific cellular immunity, particularly T cell responses, remains largely uncharacterized.
• Understanding persistent immune memory is crucial for managing viral infections and developing effective vaccines.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the long-term durability of Nipah virus-specific T cell responses in survivors of the 1998 Malaysian outbreak.
• To characterize the nature and magnitude of cellular immunity approximately 25 years after NiV infection.
• To explore the correlation between T cell responses, neurological sequelae, and cognitive function in NiV survivors.

Main Methods:

• Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were collected from four survivors of the 1998 NiV outbreak.
• PBMCs were stimulated with overlapping peptide mini-pools covering NiV fusion (NiV-F) and attachment (NiV-G) glycoproteins.
• T cell responses were quantified using ELISpot and intracellular cytokine staining (ICS) assays.

Main Results:

• Durable, cytokine-producing T cell responses specific to NiV were detected up to 25 years post-infection.
• Immunodominant T cell epitopes were identified within the ectodomain of the NiV-G glycoprotein.
• Survivors with neurological sequelae demonstrated significantly stronger T cell responses and cognitive impairment compared to those without sequelae.

Conclusions:

• Long-lasting cellular immunity against Nipah virus persists for decades after infection.
• The NiV-G glycoprotein is a key target for durable T cell memory.
• Persistent T cell responses are associated with neurological sequelae, suggesting a role in long-term pathology and highlighting the need for effective NiV vaccines.