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Bone marrow contains virus-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes
M K Slifka1, J K Whitmire, R Ahmed
1Emory Vaccine Center and the Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30307, USA.
Blood
|September 18, 1997
Summary
Bone marrow harbors long-lasting virus-specific memory T cells after infection. Transferring immune bone marrow protects immunodeficient mice from chronic viral infection, highlighting its therapeutic potential.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Virology
- Transplantation Immunology
Background:
- Bone marrow transplantation (BMT) can transfer immunity, but T-cell memory in bone marrow is understudied.
- Long-term antibody production and humoral immunity transfer are known in bone marrow.
- The role of bone marrow in maintaining virus-specific T-cell memory requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the magnitude and duration of virus-specific CD8+ T-cell memory in the bone marrow.
- To compare T-cell responses in bone marrow with those in the spleen post-infection.
- To assess the protective capacity of bone marrow-derived T-cell memory.
Main Methods:
- Mice were infected with lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV).
- CD8+ T-cell responses and memory markers (LFA-1) were analyzed in spleen and bone marrow.
- Ex vivo cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) and CTL precursor (CTLp) frequencies were measured.
- Adoptive transfer experiments into severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) mice were performed.
Main Results:
- Virus-specific CD8+ T cells expressing memory markers were found in bone marrow during acute infection.
- Potent LCMV-specific CTL memory responses persisted in bone marrow for at least 325 days.
- Adoptive transfer of immune bone marrow protected SCID mice against LCMV challenge.
- Naive bone marrow transfer did not confer protection, leading to chronic infection in SCID mice.
Conclusions:
- Virus-specific memory T cells reside in and are maintained long-term within the bone marrow compartment.
- Bone marrow-derived memory T cells possess functional protective capabilities against viral infections.
- Immune bone marrow holds potential for adoptive immunotherapy against chronic viral diseases.