Open AccessCD4 T cells are required for maintenance of CD8 TRM cells and virus control in the brain of MCMV-infected newborn mice
Author(s) -
Ilija Brizić,
Lea Hiršl,
Marko Šustić,
Mijo Golemac,
William J. Britt,
Astrid Krmpotić,
Stipan Jonjić
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
medical microbiology and immunology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.954
H-Index - 61
eISSN - 1432-1831
pISSN - 0300-8584
DOI - 10.1007/s00430-019-00601-0
Subject(s) - immune system , cytotoxic t cell , cytomegalovirus , immunology , cd8 , virology , human cytomegalovirus , biology , virus , betaherpesvirinae , medicine , viral disease , herpesviridae , in vitro , biochemistry
Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is a significant public health problem. Congenital CMV infection is a leading infectious cause of long-term neurodevelopmental sequelae, including mental retardation and sensorineural hearing loss. Immune protection against mouse cytomegalovirus (MCMV) is primarily mediated by NK cells and CD8 + T cells, while CD4 + T cells are not needed for control of MCMV in majority of organs in immunocompetent adult mice. Here, we set out to determine the role of CD4 + T cells upon MCMV infection of newborn mice. We provide evidence that CD4 + T cells are essential for clearance of MCMV infection in brain of neonatal mice and for prevention of recurrence of latent MCMV. In addition, we provide evidence that CD4 + T cells are required for induction and maintenance of tissue-resident memory CD8 + T cells in the brain of mice perinatally infected with MCMV.