Cytotoxic T cells recognize fragments of the influenza nucleoprotein.

Journal article

Recent work has shown that a major population of murine influenza A specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) recognize the viral nucleoprotein. In order to investigate the mechanism by which this nonglycoprotein component of the virus is recognized by CTL, a series of deletion mutants of an A virus NP gene were studied. The results showed that CTL recognize three distinct epitopes of the NP molecule. Both N- and C-terminal fragments of the protein are transported, independently of each other, to the site of recognition by CTL. These findings imply that a mechanism may exist for transport to the cell surface and presentation to CTL, of viral proteins and protein fragments that lack defined signal sequences.

Authors: Townsend, A; Gotch, F; Davey, J

• Journal: Cell
• Volume: 42
• Issue: 2
• Pages: 457-467
• Publication date: 1985-09-01
• DOI: 10.1016/0092-8674(85)90103-5
• EISSN: 1097-4172
• ISSN: 0092-8674
• Language: English
• Keywords: Epitopes; Viral Proteins; Antigens, Viral; Mice, Inbred CBA; Recombination, Genetic; H-2 Antigens; Clone Cells; Transfection; Mice, Inbred C57BL; T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic; Nucleoproteins; Transcription, Genetic; L Cells (Cell Line); Animals; Influenza A virus; Mutation; Genes, Viral; Mice