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CD4 + cytolytic effectors are inefficient in the clearance of Listeria monocytogenes
Author(s) -
SERODY J. S.,
POSTON R. M.,
WEINSTOCK D.,
KURLANDER R. J.,
FRELINGER J. A.
Publication year - 1996
Publication title -
immunology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.297
H-Index - 133
eISSN - 1365-2567
pISSN - 0019-2805
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-2567.1996.d01-698.x
Subject(s) - ctl* , cytotoxic t cell , listeria monocytogenes , cd8 , biology , mhc class i , major histocompatibility complex , listeriolysin o , immunology , cytolysis , intracellular parasite , adoptive cell transfer , immune system , microbiology and biotechnology , listeria , t cell , bacteria , biochemistry , in vitro , genetics
Cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) recognize and lyse target cells through the interaction of the T‐cell receptor complex with the class I or class II major histocompatibility complex (MHC). The production of class I‐restricted CTL has been shown to be critical to the elimination of specific pathogens including Listeria monocytogenes . However, the function of class II‐restricted CTL in the clearance of intracellular pathogens is poorly understood. H‐2 b β 2 ‐microglobulin‐deficient mice (β 2 M−/−) are not able to produce CD8 + CTL in response to infection with L. monocytogenes . We used this model to evaluate the efficacy of class II‐restricted CTL, in the absence of a class I‐restricted response, during a primary infection with L. monocytogenes . We demonstrate that, despite their effectiveness in adoptive transfer of protection, Listeria ‐specific CD4 + class II‐restricted cytotoxic lymphocytes are ineffective in decreasing titres of L. monocytogenes in the spleen after an established infection. In β 2 M−/− mice, persistence of L. monocytogenes in the spleen was found preferentially in class II‐negative cells. Surprisingly, class I‐restricted CTL from C57BL/6 mice were capable of decreasing bacterial titres during an established infection even in the absence of detectable class I on the surface of cells from β 2 M−/− mice. These data strongly suggest that, in the absence of a class I‐restricted response, pathogens that elicit a class II‐restricted cytotoxic response may escape prompt eradication by the immune system.