Indirect CD4+ T cell protection against persistent MCMV infection by NK cells requires IFNγ

Wanxiaojie Xie; Kimberley Bruce; Philip G Stevenson; Helen E Farrell

doi:10.1099/jgv.0.001956

Indirect CD4⁺ T cell protection against persistent MCMV infection by NK cells requires IFNγ

J Gen Virol. 2024 Jan;105(1). doi: 10.1099/jgv.0.001956.

Authors

Wanxiaojie Xie¹, Kimberley Bruce¹, Philip G Stevenson¹, Helen E Farrell

Affiliation

¹ School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia.

PMID: 38271001
DOI: 10.1099/jgv.0.001956

Abstract

Host control of mouse cytomegalovirus (MCMV) infection of MHCII^- salivary gland acinar cells is mediated by CD4⁺ T cells, but how they protect is unclear. Here, we show CD4⁺ T cells control MCMV indirectly in the salivary gland, via IFNγ engagement with uninfected, but antigen⁺ MHCII⁺ APC and recruitment of NK cells to infected cell foci. This immune mechanism renders direct contact of CD4⁺ T cells with infected cells unnecessary and may represent a host strategy to overcome viral immune evasion.

Keywords: NK cells; T cells; cytomegalovirus; interferon gamma.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Animals
CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes
Cytomegalovirus Infections*
Cytoprotection
Killer Cells, Natural
Mice
Mice, Inbred C57BL
Muromegalovirus*
T-Lymphocytes