Human Influenza A Virus-Specific CD8+ T-Cell Response Is Long-lived

J Infect Dis. 2015 Jul 1;212(1):81-5. doi: 10.1093/infdis/jiv018. Epub 2015 Jan 12.

Abstract

Animal and human studies have demonstrated the importance of influenza A virus (IAV)-specific CD8(+) cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) in heterosubtypic cross-protective immunity. Using peripheral blood mononuclear cells obtained intermittently from healthy HLA-typed blood donors between 1999 and 2012, we were able to demonstrate that IAV-specific CTLs are long-lived. Intercurrent IAV infections transiently increase the frequency of functionally distinct subsets of IAV-specific CTLs, in particular effector and effector memory T cells.

Keywords: CD8+ T cells; human; immunity; influenza A virus; longevity.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Alphainfluenzavirus / immunology*
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunologic Memory*
  • Influenza, Human / immunology*
  • Leukocytes, Mononuclear / immunology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / immunology
  • Time Factors
  • Young Adult