Functional Differences Between EBV- and CMV-Specific CD8⁺ T cells Demonstrate Heterogeneity of T cell Dysfunction in CLL.

ABSTRACT: Acquired T cell dysfunction is a hallmark of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), and is linked to an increased risk of infections, but also reduced immune surveillance and disappointing responses to autologous T cell-based immunotherapy. The mechanisms of T cell dysfunction in CLL are not well understood. Studying immunity against chronic viruses allows for detailed analysis of the effect of CLL on T cells chronically exposed to a specific antigen. Cytomegalovirus (CMV) reactivations are rare in CLL, which corroborates with preserved CMV-specific T cell function. Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is another herpesvirus that results in chronic infection, but unlike CMV, is characterized by subclinical reactivations in CLL patients. Since both herpesviruses induce strong CD8⁺ T cell respon

SUBMITTER: Hofland T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7162091 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature