Protective immunity depends on memory CD4 T cells generated during initial encounter with pathogen. Naive CD4 T cells respond vigorously to influenza (Flu) virus, expanding and differentiating into a large effector population that participates in flu clearance indirectly by driving B cell antibody production and directly in the lung. Once generated, CD8 and CD4 T effector cells migrate to the lung, virus is cleared rapidly and the CD4 effector population just as quickly contracts both in the lung and elsewhere, leaving memory CD4 T cells in peripheral sites. The contraction is necessary to limit CD4 effector-mediated immunopathology in the lung, but the factors regulating contraction are as yet unknown. Flu viruses replicate in lung epithelial cells, generating billions of viruses leading to high levels of Flu antigen (Ag) presentation and as well to dramatic stimulation of the innate immune cells via recognition of viral RNA. We postulate that these innate events result in secretion of inflammatory cytokines, including TNF and IL-6, and that these factors act on the small initial population of CD4 T cells specific for Flu, to drive a complex program of response that includes both extensive expansion and differentiation to effectors as well as their commitment to die when they re-encounter Ag in the lung and periphery. We have developed a model in which we can study CD4 contraction, by transferring an easily identified """"""""indicator"""""""" population of Flu-specific naive CD4 T cells from T cell receptor transgenic mice into a host mouse that we then infect with Flu. This allows us to visualize the contraction phase by enumerating effectors in the lung at the peak of their response and just after contraction a few days later. We will ask several key questions to evaluate our hypothesis. First we will ask if Flu Ag, expressed at the initiation of contraction, is necessary to induce the process of deletion of CD4 effectors via Ag-induced cell death. Second will ask if inflammatory cytokines, TNF and IL-6, elaborated as a result of infection, are acting to program both the effective T cell response and the contraction phase. Third we will ask if they accomplish this programming by increasing responding CD4 T cell production of IL-2 and IL-21. Identifying the factors that regulate the contraction phase should provide better understanding of the correlates of protective immunity and suggest future targets for manipulating immunopathology and memory generation. These results will help improve design of vaccines that are more effective in combating immunity but that avoid the consequences of immune-mediated pathology.

Public Health Relevance

Infection with viruses and bacteria generate vigorous T cell immune responses that help destroy the infectious agent and also usually lead to long term immunity, so a subsequent infection will be combated swiftly and effectively. This immunity is mediated by so-called memory T cells. It is a particular importance that we learn how to best generate memory T cells. When new strains of a virus like influenza emerge, the other major kind of immunity we have, mediated by Ab, is no longer effective because the virus has changed to evade the Ab, This escape can lead to dangerous epidemics or pandemics, like the 1918 """"""""Spanish"""""""" influenza that killed many millions, so we must depend on T cell memory. The process of memory T cell generation is not well understood. During response a very large population of T cell effectors is formed, and in the case of influenza, many of these go to the lung and attack infected cells. Once virus is gone, these """"""""contract"""""""" leaving behind memory T cells, mostly in lymphoid organs like the spleen. In this project we will determine how this process of contraction is regulated, so that we can learn how to design vaccines that can achieve the best T cell memory.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
7R01AI076534-02
Application #
7849918
Study Section
Immunity and Host Defense Study Section (IHD)
Program Officer
Hauguel, Teresa M
Project Start
2009-06-01
Project End
2011-05-31
Budget Start
2010-06-01
Budget End
2011-05-31
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2010
Total Cost
$411,146
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Massachusetts Medical School Worcester
Department
Pathology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
603847393
City
Worcester
State
MA
Country
United States
Zip Code
01655
McKinstry, K Kai; Strutt, Tara M; Bautista, Bianca et al. (2014) Effector CD4 T-cell transition to memory requires late cognate interactions that induce autocrine IL-2. Nat Commun 5:5377
Strutt, Tara M; McKinstry, K Kai; Marshall, Nikki B et al. (2013) Multipronged CD4(+) T-cell effector and memory responses cooperate to provide potent immunity against respiratory virus. Immunol Rev 255:149-64
McKinstry, K Kai; Dutton, Richard W; Swain, Susan L et al. (2013) Memory CD4 T cell-mediated immunity against influenza A virus: more than a little helpful. Arch Immunol Ther Exp (Warsz) 61:341-53
Brown, Deborah M; Lee, Sarah; Garcia-Hernandez, Maria de la Luz et al. (2012) Multifunctional CD4 cells expressing gamma interferon and perforin mediate protection against lethal influenza virus infection. J Virol 86:6792-803
McKinstry, K Kai; Strutt, Tara M; Kuang, Yi et al. (2012) Memory CD4+ T cells protect against influenza through multiple synergizing mechanisms. J Clin Invest 122:2847-56
Strutt, Tara M; McKinstry, K Kai; Kuang, Yi et al. (2012) Memory CD4+ T-cell-mediated protection depends on secondary effectors that are distinct from and superior to primary effectors. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 109:E2551-60
Swain, Susan L; McKinstry, K Kai; Strutt, Tara M (2012) Expanding roles for CD4ýýý T cells in immunity to viruses. Nat Rev Immunol 12:136-48
Strutt, Tara M; McKinstry, K Kai; Swain, Susan L (2011) Control of innate immunity by memory CD4 T cells. Adv Exp Med Biol 780:57-68
Marshall, Nikki B; Swain, Susan L (2011) Cytotoxic CD4 T cells in antiviral immunity. J Biomed Biotechnol 2011:954602
An, Jie; Golech, Susanne; Klaewsongkram, Jettanong et al. (2011) Krüppel-like factor 4 (KLF4) directly regulates proliferation in thymocyte development and IL-17 expression during Th17 differentiation. FASEB J 25:3634-45

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