Increased expression of the NK cell receptor KLRG1 by virus-specific CD8 T cells during persistent antigen stimulation.

Journal article

The killer cell lectin-like receptor G1 (KLRG1) is a natural killer cell receptor expressed by T cells that exhibit impaired proliferative capacity. Here, we determined the KLRG1 expression by virus-specific T cells. We found that repetitive and persistent antigen stimulation leads to an increase in KLRG1 expression of virus-specific CD8+ T cells in mice and that virus-specific CD8+ T cells are mostly KLRG1+ in chronic human viral infections (human immunodeficiency virus, cytomegalovirus, and Epstein-Barr virus) but not in resolved infection (influenza virus). Thus, by using KLRG1 as a T-cell marker, our results suggest that the differentiation status and function of virus-specific CD8+ T cells are directly influenced by persistent antigen stimulation.

Authors: Thimme, R; Appay, V; Koschella, M; Panther, E; Roth, E

• Publication status: Published
• Journal: Journal of virology
• Volume: 79
• Issue: 18
• Pages: 12112-12116
• Publication date: 2005-09-01
• DOI: 10.1128/jvi.79.18.12112-12116.2005
• EISSN: 1098-5514
• ISSN: 0022-538X
• Language: English
• Keywords: Antigens, CD40; Animals; HIV; Trans-Activators; Receptors, Immunologic; Cytomegalovirus; Lectins, C-Type; Herpesvirus 4, Human; CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes; Humans; Virus Diseases; Antigens, Viral; Killer Cells, Natural; Mice, Knockout; Mice; Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus