Cross-priming of CD8+ T cells stimulated by virus-induced type I interferon.

Journal article

CD8+ T cell responses can be generated against antigens that are not expressed directly within antigen-presenting cells (APCs), through a process known as cross-priming. To initiate cross-priming, APCs must both capture extracellular antigen and receive specific activation signals. We have investigated the nature of APC activation signals associated with virus infection that stimulate cross-priming. We show that infection with lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus induces cross-priming by a mechanism dependent on type I interferon (IFN-alpha/beta). Activation of cross-priming by IFN-alpha/beta was independent of CD4+ T cell help or interaction of CD40 and CD40 ligand, and involved direct stimulation of dendritic cells. These data identify expression of IFN-alpha/beta as a mechanism for the induction of cross-priming during virus infections.

Authors: Le Bon, A; Etchart, N; Rossmann, C; Ashton, M; Hou, S

• Publication status: Published
• Journal: Nature immunology
• Volume: 4
• Issue: 10
• Pages: 1009-1015
• Publication date: 2003-10-01
• DOI: 10.1038/ni978
• EISSN: 1529-2916
• ISSN: 1529-2908
• Language: English
• Keywords: Lymphocyte Activation; Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus; Specific Pathogen-Free Organisms; Female; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis; Animals; Mice, Knockout; Ovalbumin; Dendritic Cells; Interferon Type I; Antigens, CD40; Antigen Presentation; CD40 Ligand; CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes; Mice