Human cytomegalovirus-specific CD4+ and CD8+ T cell responses in primary infection of the immunocompetent and the immunocompromised host

Daniele Lilleri; Paola Zelini; Chiara Fornara; Giuditta Comolli; Maria Grazia Revello; Giuseppe Gerna

doi:10.1016/j.clim.2009.02.002

Human cytomegalovirus-specific CD4+ and CD8+ T cell responses in primary infection of the immunocompetent and the immunocompromised host

Clin Immunol. 2009 Jun;131(3):395-403. doi: 10.1016/j.clim.2009.02.002. Epub 2009 Mar 5.

Authors

Daniele Lilleri¹, Paola Zelini, Chiara Fornara, Giuditta Comolli, Maria Grazia Revello, Giuseppe Gerna

Affiliation

¹ Servizio di Virologia, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Pavia, Italy.

PMID: 19268633
DOI: 10.1016/j.clim.2009.02.002

Abstract

The kinetics of primary human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection and specific T-cell responses were investigated in 16 immunocompetent pregnant women and 8 solid-organ transplant recipients (SOTR). T-cell responses to whole HCMV and to pp65 and IE-1 peptides were determined by flow cytometry evaluation of IFNgamma production. HCMV-specific CD4(+) and CD8(+) T-cells appeared earlier and simultaneously in immunocompetent subjects, whereas specific CD8(+) T-cells preceded CD4(+) T-cells in half of the SOTR examined. The magnitude of the HCMV-specific T-cell pool was comparable. HCMV load reached peak levels 100-1000 times higher in SOTR than in immunocompetent women, while the virus persisted for months in blood of both groups. T-cells directed to pp65 and IE-1 were only detected in a portion of subjects developing a full T-cell response to the whole virus. Thus, the development of cell-mediated immune response in primary HCMV infection may be missed when looking at pp65 and IE-1 peptide-stimulated T-cells only.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Adolescent
Adult
Aged
CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology*
CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / metabolism
CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / virology
CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology*
CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / metabolism
CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / virology
Cytomegalovirus / immunology
Cytomegalovirus Infections / diagnosis
Cytomegalovirus Infections / immunology*
Cytomegalovirus Infections / virology
Female
Humans
Immediate-Early Proteins / immunology*
Immediate-Early Proteins / metabolism
Immunocompromised Host / immunology
Immunosuppressive Agents / immunology
Interferon-gamma / biosynthesis
Interferon-gamma / immunology
Middle Aged
Organ Transplantation / adverse effects
Phosphoproteins / immunology*
Phosphoproteins / metabolism
Pregnancy
Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / immunology
Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / virology
Viral Matrix Proteins / immunology*
Viral Matrix Proteins / metabolism
Young Adult

Substances

IE1 protein, cytomegalovirus
Immediate-Early Proteins
Immunosuppressive Agents
Phosphoproteins
Viral Matrix Proteins
cytomegalovirus matrix protein 65kDa
Interferon-gamma