Mapping and Role of the CD8+ T Cell Response During Primary Zika Virus Infection in Mice

Publication date: 11 January 2017
Source:Cell Host & Microbe, Volume 21, Issue 1
Author(s): Annie Elong Ngono, Edward A. Vizcarra, William W. Tang, Nicholas Sheets, Yunichel Joo, Kenneth Kim, Matthew J. Gorman, Michael S. Diamond, Sujan Shresta
CD8⁺ T cells may play a dual role in protection against and pathogenesis of flaviviruses, including Zika virus (ZIKV). We evaluated the CD8⁺ T cell response in ZIKV-infected LysMCre⁺IFNAR^fl/fl C57BL/6 (H-2^b) mice lacking the type I interferon receptor in a subset of myeloid cells. In total, 26 and 15 CD8⁺ T cell-reactive peptides for ZIKV African (MR766) and Asian (FSS13025) lineage strains, respectively, were identified and validated. CD8⁺ T cells from infected mice were polyfunctional and mediated cytotoxicity. Adoptive transfer of ZIKV-immune CD8⁺ T cells reduced viral burdens, whereas their depletion led to higher tissue burdens, and CD8^−/− mice displayed higher mortality with ZIKV infection. Collectively, these results demonstrate that CD8⁺ T cells protect against ZIKV infection. Further, this study provides a T cell competent mouse model for investigating ZIKV-specific T cell responses.

Graphical abstract

Teaser

The nature and role of CD8+ T cell responses during Zika virus (ZIKV) infection is unknown. Elong Ngono et al. develop a mouse model to identify, characterize, and validate the H-2^b-restricted CD8⁺ T cell response to ZIKV and demonstrate a protective role for CD8⁺ T cells during primary ZIKV infection.


http://ift.tt/2jFj8px