CD8 T cells use IFN-γ to protect against the lethal effects of a respiratory poxvirus infection.

ABSTRACT: CD8 T cells are a key component of immunity to many viral infections. They achieve this through using an array of effector mechanisms, but precisely which component/s are required for protection against a respiratory orthopox virus infection remains unclear. Using a model of respiratory vaccinia virus infection in mice, we could specifically determine the relative contribution of perforin, TRAIL, and IFN-γ-mediated pathways in protection against virus induced morbidity and mortality. Unexpectedly, we observed that protection against death was mediated by IFN-γ without any involvement of the perforin or TRAIL-dependent pathways. IFN-γ mRNA and protein levels in the lung peaked between days 3 and 6 postinfection. This enhanced response coincided with the emergence of virus-specific CD8 T cel

SUBMITTER: Goulding J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4036466 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature