Protective antifungal memory CD8(+) T cells are maintained in the absence of CD4(+) T cell help and cognate antigen in mice.

ABSTRACT: Individuals who are immunocompromised, including AIDS patients with few CD4(+) T cells, are at increased risk for opportunistic fungal infections. The incidence of such infections is increasing worldwide, meaning that the need for antifungal vaccines is increasing. Although CD4(+) T cells play a dominant role in resistance to many pathogenic fungal infections, we have previously shown that vaccination can induce protective antifungal CD8(+) T cell immunity in the absence of CD4(+) T cells. However, it has not been determined whether vaccine-induced antifungal CD8(+) T cell memory can be maintained in the absence of CD4(+) T cell help. Here, we have shown in a mouse model of vaccination against blastomycosis that antifungal memory CD8(+) T cells are maintained in the absence of CD4(+) T cel

SUBMITTER: Nanjappa SG 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3287218 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature