Vaccine-Elicited CD4 T Cells Induce Immunopathology Following Chronic LCMV Infection

ABSTRACT: CD4 T cells promote innate and adaptive immune responses, but how vaccine-elicited CD4 T cells contribute to immune protection remains unclear. Here we evaluated whether induction of virus-specific CD4 T cells by vaccination would protect mice against infection with chronic lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV). Immunization with vaccines that selectively induced CD4 T cell responses resulted in catastrophic inflammation and mortality following challenge with a persistent form of LCMV. Immunopathology required antigen-specific CD4 T cells and was associated with a cytokine storm, generalized inflammation, and multi-organ system failure. Virus-specific CD8 T cells or antibodies abrogated the pathology. These data demonstrate that vaccine-elicited CD4 T cells in the absence of effective antiviral immune responses can trigger lethal immunopathology.

ORGANISM(S): Mus musculus

PROVIDER: GSE63825 | GEO | 2014/12/04

SECONDARY ACCESSION(S): PRJNA269164

REPOSITORIES: GEO