Emergence of CD8+ T cells expressing NK cell receptors in influenza A virus-infected mice

J Immunol. 2000 Nov 1;165(9):4964-9. doi: 10.4049/jimmunol.165.9.4964.

Abstract

Both innate and adaptive immune responses play an important role in the recovery of the host from viral infections. In the present report, a subset of cells coexpressing CD8 and NKR-P1C (NK1.1) was found in the lungs of mice infected with influenza A virus. These cells were detected at low numbers in the lungs of uninfected mice, but represented up to 10% of the total CD8(+) T cell population at day 10 postinfection. Almost all of the CD8(+)NK1.1(+) cells were CD8alphabeta(+)CD3(+)TCRalphabeta(+) and a proportion of these cells also expressed the NK cell-associated Ly49 receptors. Interestingly, up to 30% of these cells were virus-specific T cells as determined by MHC class I tetramer staining and by intracellular staining of IFN-gamma after viral peptide stimulation. Moreover, these cells were distinct from conventional NKT cells as they were also found at increased numbers in influenza-infected CD1(-/-) mice. These results demonstrate that a significant proportion of CD8(+) T cells acquire NK1.1 and other NK cell-associated molecules, and suggests that these receptors may possibly regulate CD8(+) T cell effector functions during viral infection.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antigens / biosynthesis*
  • Antigens, Ly
  • Antigens, Surface / biosynthesis*
  • CD8 Antigens / biosynthesis
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / metabolism*
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / virology
  • Cell Line
  • Cell Lineage / immunology
  • Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte / metabolism
  • Immunophenotyping
  • Influenza A virus / immunology*
  • Killer Cells, Natural / immunology
  • Killer Cells, Natural / metabolism*
  • Killer Cells, Natural / virology
  • Kinetics
  • Lectins, C-Type*
  • Lung / immunology
  • Lung / metabolism
  • Lung / pathology
  • Lung / virology
  • Lymphocyte Count
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • NK Cell Lectin-Like Receptor Subfamily B
  • Orthomyxoviridae Infections / immunology*
  • Orthomyxoviridae Infections / pathology
  • Orthomyxoviridae Infections / virology
  • Peptide Fragments / immunology
  • Protein Biosynthesis*
  • Proteins*
  • Receptors, Immunologic / biosynthesis*
  • T-Lymphocyte Subsets / immunology
  • T-Lymphocyte Subsets / metabolism*
  • T-Lymphocyte Subsets / virology
  • Viral Core Proteins / immunology

Substances

  • Antigens
  • Antigens, Ly
  • Antigens, Surface
  • CD8 Antigens
  • Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte
  • Klrb1c protein, mouse
  • Lectins, C-Type
  • NK Cell Lectin-Like Receptor Subfamily B
  • Peptide Fragments
  • Proteins
  • Receptors, Immunologic
  • Viral Core Proteins
  • nucleoprotein (366-374), influenza virus