Homeostatic cytokines induce CD4 downregulation in African green monkeys independently of antigen exposure to generate simian immunodeficiency virus-resistant CD8αα T cells.

ABSTRACT:

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African green monkeys (AGMs; genus Chlorocebus) are a natural host of simian immunodeficiency virus (SIVAGM). As they do not develop simian AIDS, there is great interest in understanding how this species has evolved to avoid immunodeficiency. Adult African green monkeys naturally have low numbers of CD4 T cells and a large population of major histocompatibility complex class II-restricted CD8α(dim) T cells that are generated through CD4 downregulation in CD4(+) T cells. Mechanisms that drive this process of CD4 downregulation are unknown. Here, we show that juvenile AGMs accelerate CD4-to-CD8αα conversion upon SIV infection and avoid progression to AIDS. The CD4 downregulation induced by SIV infection is not limited to SIV-specific T cells, and vaccination of an adult AG

SUBMITTER: Perkins MR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4178902 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature