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Protection From Epstein‐Barr Virus (EBV) Infection Mediated by Heterologous Immunity
Author(s) -
Watkin Levi,
Aslan Nuray,
Kota Kalyani,
Clute Shalyn,
Sullivan John,
Luzuriaga Katherine,
Selin Liisa
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.22.2_supplement.512
Subject(s) - epitope , virology , biology , epstein–barr virus , immunology , mononucleosis , virus , antigen , cd8 , heterologous , t cell , cross reactivity , population , immunity , immune system , medicine , cross reactions , genetics , gene , environmental health
Previously we have shown the expansion of memory CD8 T cells specific for the Flu‐M1 58–66 epitope (GILGFVFTL) that were cross‐reactive with the EBV‐BMLF1 280–288 epitope (GLCTLVAML) during the course of infectious mononucleosis (IM). We have recently identified an additional cross‐reactivity between M1 58–66 specific cells and another EBV epitope, EBV‐BRLF1 109–117 (YVLDHLIVV). In this study we sought to determine whether EBV naïve individuals had cross‐reactive memory M1 58–66 specific T cells that could recognize these EBV antigens. We observed that CD8 T cells from EBV‐Naïve donors cultured in the presence of either BMLF1 280–288 or BRLF1 109–117 peptides expanded the M1 58–66 specific population. Although these expanded M1 58–66 specific cells did not stain with EBV tetramers they were able to produce cytokines in response to the EBV cross‐reactive peptides. To date TcR analysis of both the Flu M1‐specific and the cross‐reactive responses demonstrate unusual features such as domination by a single Vβ17 clonotype with an atypical CDR3 sequence. Additionally these cross‐reactive M1 58–66 specific cell lines were able to kill not only EBV peptide loaded targets but also autologous EBV infected targets in a Cr 51 release assay. Although cross‐reactive T cell responses may contribute to immuno‐pathology such as IM, these results are suggestive that they may also play a role in protective immunity during viral infections.