T helper 1 effector memory CD4⁺ T cells protect the skin from poxvirus infection.

ABSTRACT: Poxvirus infections of the skin are a recent emerging public health concern, yet the mechanisms that mediate protective immunity against these viral infections remain largely unknown. Here, we show that T helper 1 (Th1) memory CD4⁺ T cells are necessary and sufficient to provide complete and broad protection against poxvirus skin infections, whereas memory CD8⁺ T cells are dispensable. Core 2 O-glycan-synthesizing Th1 effector memory CD4⁺ T cells rapidly infiltrate the poxvirus-infected skin microenvironment and produce interferon γ (IFNγ) in an antigen-dependent manner, causing global changes in gene expression to promote anti-viral immunity. Keratinocytes express IFN-stimulated genes, upregulate both major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I and MHC

SUBMITTER: Harbour JC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10281076 | biostudies-literature | 2023 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature