Immune surveillance by CD8αα+ skin-resident T cells in human herpes virus infection.

ABSTRACT: Most herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV-2) reactivations in humans are subclinical and associated with rapid expansion and containment of virus. Previous studies have shown that CD8(+) T cells persist in genital skin and mucosa at the dermal-epidermal junction (DEJ)--the portal of neuronal release of reactivating virus--for prolonged time periods after herpes lesions are cleared. The phenotype and function of this persistent CD8(+) T-cell population remain unknown. Here, using cell-type-specific laser capture microdissection, transcriptional profiling and T-cell antigen receptor β-chain (TCRβ) genotyping on sequential genital skin biopsies, we show that CD8αα(+) T cells are the dominant resident population of DEJ CD8(+) T cells that persist at the site of previous HSV-2 reactivation. CD8αα(+) T c

SUBMITTER: Zhu J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3663925 | biostudies-literature | 2013 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature