Memory T cells persisting in the brain following MCMV infection induce long-term microglial activation via interferon-?.

ABSTRACT: Murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV) brain infection stimulates microglial cell-driven proinflammatory chemokine production which precedes the presence of brain-infiltrating systemic immune cells. Here, we show that in response to MCMV brain infection, antigen-specific CD8(+) T cells migrated into the brain and persisted as long-lived memory cells. The role of these persistent T cells in the brain is unclear because most of our understanding of antimicrobial T cell responses comes from analyses of lymphoid tissue. Strikingly, memory T cells isolated from the brain exhibited an effector phenotype and produced IFN-? upon restimulation with viral peptide. Furthermore, we observed time-dependent and long-term activation of resident microglia, indicated by chronic MHC class II up-regulation and TNF-? production. The immune response in this immunologically restricted site persisted in the absence of active viral replication. Lymphocyte infiltrates were detected until 30 days post-infection (p.i.), with CD8(+) and CD4(+) T cells present at a 3:1 ratio, respectively. We then investigated the role of IFN-? in chronic microglial activation by using IFN-?-knockout (GKO) mice. At 30 days p.i., GKO mice demonstrated a similar phenotypic brain infiltrate when compared to wild-type mice (Wt), however, MHC class II expression on microglia isolated from these GKO mice was significantly lower compared to Wt animals. When IFN-? producing CD8(+) T cells were reconstituted in GKO mice, MHC class II up-regulation on microglial cells was restored. Taken together, these results suggest that MCMV brain infection results in long-term persistence of antigen-specific CD8(+) T cells which produce IFN-? and drive chronic microglial cell activation. This response was found to be dependent on IFN-? production by viral Ag-specific T cells during the chronic phase of disease.

SUBMITTER: Mutnal MB 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3204167 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature