Viruses, including HIV, EBV, and CMV, are potent inducers of T cell responses, resulting in hyperplasia of lymphoid organs and the generation of high levels of CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL). We have found, using mice infected with lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV), that the massive T cell response is primarily virus-specific, with little indication of """"""""bystander proliferation"""""""" of T cells lacking specificity for the virus. However, we have shown that n:any of the virus-induced T cells have dual specificity and often recognize targets in addition to the virus-infected syngeneic targets that are stimulating them. These include uninfected allogeneic targets and syngeneic targets infected with putatively unrelated heterologous viruses. The T cell repertoire remains substantially skewed with virus-specific T cells long after clearance of a virus infection, and the introduction of another virus into this skewed repertoire results in the expansion of many T cells crossreactive between the two viruses. Subsequent to the second infection there is a quantitative reduction and qualitative alteration of T cell memory to the first virus after the immune system reaches homeostasis. Our analyses have indicated that T cells exist as a network of cells continually being modulated by crossreactive stimulations and apoptotic deletions, and that how one responds to a virus infection will depend on one's history of exposure to putatively unrelated antigens. The purpose of this grant is to examine the roles of crossreactive T cells vs. bystander events during viral infections by: (1) analyzing the evolution of the T cell repertoire during viral infections; (2) defining the specificity of crossreactive CTL responses between LCMV and other viruses, including Pichinde virus; (3) determining whether bystander events contribute to cytolytic activation or T cell accumulation; (4) determining how the T cell repertoire and pre-existing memory pool is modulated as a consequence of heterologous infections; and (5) examining the role of crossreactive T cells in viral pathogenesis and allograft rejection.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (NIAMS)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
2R01AR035506-13
Application #
2747676
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG5-EVR (04))
Program Officer
Serrate-Sztein, Susana
Project Start
1989-06-15
Project End
2003-12-31
Budget Start
1999-01-15
Budget End
1999-12-31
Support Year
13
Fiscal Year
1999
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Massachusetts Medical School Worcester
Department
Pathology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
660735098
City
Worcester
State
MA
Country
United States
Zip Code
01655
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