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T cell cytokine profile during primary Epstein-Barr virus infection (infectious mononucleosis)

Trawat Attarbaschi1, Martin Willheim, Michael Ramharter

  • 1Department of Internal Medicine I, University Hospital of Vienna, Austria, Waehringerguertel 18-20, A-1090 Vienna, Austria.

European Cytokine Network
|June 12, 2003
PubMed

Insights

Infectious mononucleosis (IM) involves an expansion of interferon-gamma (IFN-γ)-producing CD8+ T cells, indicating a strong type 1 immune response. This immune profile is linked to disease severity but allows for viral control.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Virology
  • Cellular Biology

Background:

  • Infectious mononucleosis (IM) is a viral illness characterized by immune system activation.
  • Understanding T-cell responses, specifically cytokine production, is crucial for elucidating IM pathogenesis.
  • Previous studies have not fully detailed the dynamic cytokine profiles of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells during IM.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the cytokine profiles of CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell subsets in patients with infectious mononucleosis (IM).
  • To compare these profiles with those of healthy controls.
  • To assess changes in T-cell cytokine expression over time following the acute phase of IM.

Main Methods:

  • Evaluation of cytokine profiles in CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell subsets from 8 IM patients.
  • Intracellular cytokine detection using flow cytometry.
  • Analysis of T-cell subsets including IFN-gamma, IL-2, TNF-alpha, IL-10, IL-4, IL-13, and IL-6.

Main Results:

  • Expansion of IFN-gamma-producing CD4+ and CD8+ T cells observed in IM patients compared to controls.
  • Reduced IL-2 expression and a shift towards IFN-gamma/TNF-alpha co-production in T cells during acute IM.
  • Persistent elevation of IFN-gamma in CD8+ T cells and normalization of IL-2 in both subsets at 6-month follow-up.

Conclusions:

  • A type 1-biased immune response, marked by increased IFN-gamma and decreased IL-10 production in T cells, dominates IM.
  • The expansion of IFN-gamma-producing CD8+ T cells is a key factor in clinically apparent IM, yet compatible with viral clearance.
  • Immune responses largely normalize by 6 months post-infection, with restored IL-2 levels.

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