Cutting Edge: Transcriptional Profiling Reveals Multifunctional and Cytotoxic Antiviral Responses of Zika Virus-Specific CD8⁺ T Cells.

ABSTRACT: Zika virus (ZIKV) constitutes an increasing public health problem. Previous studies have shown that CD8⁺ T cells play an important role in ZIKV-specific protective immunity. We have previously defined antigenic targets of the ZIKV-specific CD8⁺ T cell response in humans. In this study, we characterized the quality and phenotypes of these responses by a combined use of flow cytometry and transcriptomic methods, using PBMCs from donors deriving from different geographical locations collected in the convalescent phase of infection. We show that ZIKV-specific CD8⁺ T cells are characterized by a polyfunctional IFN-γ signature with upregulation of TNF-α, TNF receptors, and related activation markers, such as CD69, as well as a cytotoxic signature characterized by

SUBMITTER: Grifoni A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6287102 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature