The ?-herpes virus murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV), a homologue of human CMV, is a well-characterized animal model of viral infection that results in a non-replicative, chronic infection of an immune-competent animal. MCMV is cleared within days from the spleen and the liver, but persists in the salivary glands for several weeks. NK cells are crucial for the early containment of MCMV in the spleen before T cells can mount a targeted effector response. Our preliminary data show that the spleen harbors mostly classical NK cells, while the liver and the salivary glands harbor two distinct subsets of NK cells. In prior work, we have shown that the salivary gland NK cells are hyporesponsive, possibly explaining the MCMV persistence in this organ. Our new preliminary data show that salivary gland NK cells regain normal effector functions against MCMV when adoptively transferred into different tissue environments. Therefore, our data suggest that the salivary gland microenvironment regulates NK cells and/or NK-like cells by calibrating their threshold of activity. Here we propose experiments designed to reveal the underlying mechanisms leading to MCMV persistence. We will target NK cells at the receptor level and during subsequent downstream signaling. By using both a genetic and biochemical approach, we will attempt to modulate their effector functions.
In Specific Aim 1, using mice with targeted mutations for SHP-1 and SHP-2, we will determine the nature of the NK cell response to MCMV.
In Specific Aim 2, we test the impact of cadherin/KLRG1 interaction.
In Specific Aim 3, we will determine the respective contribution of salivary gland E4BP4- dependent and E4BP4-independent NK cells during MCMV infection. The findings generated from the proposed work could potentially lead to the development of drugs that reverse CMV persistence.

Public Health Relevance

The immune response main function is to control and to eliminate pathogens. We propose to study how inhibitory receptors and a specific type of enzymes controls the functions of a unique population of lymphocytes called invariant Natural Killer cells during viral infection. The results from these studies will provide insights into strategies to target these cells.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01AI122217-02
Application #
9235250
Study Section
Immunity and Host Defense (IHD)
Program Officer
Lapham, Cheryl K
Project Start
2016-03-15
Project End
2021-02-28
Budget Start
2017-03-01
Budget End
2018-02-28
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2017
Total Cost
$406,250
Indirect Cost
$156,250
Name
Brown University
Department
Microbiology/Immun/Virology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
001785542
City
Providence
State
RI
Country
United States
Zip Code
02912
Miah, S M Shahjahan; Jayasuriya, Chathuraka T; Salter, Alexander I et al. (2017) Ptpn11 Deletion in CD4+ Cells Does Not Affect T Cell Development and Functions but Causes Cartilage Tumors in a T Cell-Independent Manner. Front Immunol 8:1326
Erick, Timothy; Grigoryan, Lilit; Brossay, Laurent (2017) Lacrimal Gland NK Cells Are Developmentally and Functionally Similar to Conventional NK Cells. Immunohorizons 1:2-9
Erick, Timothy K; Anderson, Courtney K; Reilly, Emma C et al. (2016) NFIL3 Expression Distinguishes Tissue-Resident NK Cells and Conventional NK-like Cells in the Mouse Submandibular Glands. J Immunol 197:2485-91