Severe murine lung immunopathology elicited by the pathogenic equine herpesvirus 1 strain RacL11 correlates with early production of macrophage inflammatory proteins 1alpha, 1beta, and 2 and tumor necrosis factor alpha

The CBA mouse model was used to investigate the immunopathology induced in the lung by the pathogenic equine herpesvirus 1 (EHV-1) strain RacL11 in comparison to infection with the attenuated vaccine candidate strain KyA. Intranasal infection with KyA resulted in almost no inflammatory infiltration in the lung. In contrast, infection with the pathogenic RacL11 strain induced a severe alveolar and interstitial inflammation, consisting primarily of lymphocytes, macrophages, and neutrophils. Infection with either EHV-1 strain resulted in the accumulation of similar numbers and ratios of CD4 and CD8 T lymphocytes in the lung and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid. Further analysis of these T-cell populations revealed identical EHV-1-specific cytotoxic T-lymphocyte responses. RNase protection analysis of RNA isolated from the BAL fluid of RacL11-infected mice on day 3 postinfection revealed much higher levels of RNA specific for macrophage inflammatory protein 1alpha (MIP-1alpha), MIP-1beta, and MIP-2 than were observed for KyA-infected mice. Furthermore, significantly higher levels of transcripts specific for tumor necrosis factor alpha were induced on day 3 postinfection with RacL11 compared with KyA. These findings suggest that the early production of proinflammatory beta chemokines plays a major role in the severe, most often lethal, respiratory inflammatory response induced by the pathogenic EHV-1 strain RacL11.

Expression of intracellular IFN-gamma in HSV-1-specific CD8+ T cells identifies distinct responding subpopulations during the primary response to infection

Cutaneous infection in the footpads of C57BL/6 mice with HSV-1 results in an accumulation of activated (CD44high CD25+) CD8+ T cells within the draining popliteal lymph node (PLN). These studies were undertaken to evaluate the frequency and phenotype of the CD8+ T cell population within the PLN, recognizing the single immunodominant HSV-1 epitope derived from the viral envelope glycoprotein, glycoprotein B (gB), using an intracellular IFN-gamma-staining assay. It revealed that approximately 6% of the CD8+ T cells were specific for the gB epitope. Phenotypic analysis of the IFN-gamma-producing gB-specific CD8+ T cells generated in the PLN during the course of the acute infection expressed the CD44high CD25+ phenotype on days 3-5 postinfection. Surprisingly, IFN-gamma-producing CD8+ T cells expressed the CD44high CD25- phenotype on days 5-8 postinfection, in contrast to expectations for a CD8+ effector T cell. IFN-gamma-producing CD25- CD8+ T cells were detected in the PLN on day 21 postinfection, long after infectious virus had been cleared. Throughout the response, the spleen was found to be the major reservoir of gB-specific CD8+ T cells, even during the peak of the response. In contrast to the gB-specific CD8+ T cell population within the PLN, the entire gB-specific CD8+ T cell population within the spleen was CD25-. Collectively, these results suggest the generation of subpopulations of virus-specific CD8+ T cells, distinguished by the expression of CD25, during the acute phase of the primary response to a localized viral infection.

Cytokine and adhesion molecule expression in SCID mice reconstituted with CD4+ T cells

The objectives of this study were to quantify colonic cytokine and endothelial cell adhesion molecule (ECAM) expression in the colons of severe combined immunodeficient (SCID) mice reconstituted with different subsets of CD4+ T lymphocytes. We found that animals injected with CD45RBhigh but not CD45RBlow T cells or phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) developed clinical evidence of colitis at 6-8 weeks following reconstitution, as assessed by loss of body weight, development of loose stools and/or diarrhea, and histopathology. Concurrent with the onset of distal bowel inflammation was enhanced expression of a variety of Th1 and macrophage-derived cytokines including interferon gamma, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin (IL)-1beta, IL-6, IL-12, and IL-18 lymphotoxin-beta. In addition, message levels and vascular surface expression of ICAM-1, VCAM-1, and MAdCAM-1 were all significantly enhanced in the colitic SCID mice reconstituted with CD45RBhigh T cells compared with SCID mice reconstituted with PBS or CD45RBlow T cells that did not develop disease. Significant increases in some of these ECAMs were also noted in the cecum and stomach and to a lesser degree in the small bowel. Our data confirm that reconstitution of SCID mice with CD45RBhigh but not CD45RBlow T cells induces chronic colitis, and that the colonic inflammation is associated with enhanced expression of proinflammatory cytokines and different ECAMs in the colon. Furthermore, our studies demonstrate that reconstitution of SCID mice with CD45RBhigh T cells enhances ECAM expression in tissues distant from the site of active inflammation.

Characterization of JOK-1, a human gastric epithelial cell line

Human gastric epithelial cells were isolated from samples of human gastric lining and immortalized with simian virus 40 (SV40) to generate the stable human gastric epithelial cell line "JOK-l." These cells express conventional epithelial markers (vimentin, cytokeratin-18, occludin, N- and E-cadherins, beta-catenin, ZO-1, ZO-2, mucin, epithelial specific antigen) as well as SV40 large T-antigen. These cells rapidly externalized E-cadherin in response to acidic medium, and exhibited epithelial-like barrier properties that are also regulated by media pH. In contrast, the kidney epithelial cell line "MDCK" also expresses several epithelial markers (vimentin, cytokeratin-18, occludin, N- and E-cadherin, beta-catenin, ZO-1, ZO-2, epithelial specific antigen), but does not express mucin, or large T-antigen. However, MDCK rapidly internalize their E-cadherin from the cell surface and increase the solute flux in an acidic medium. These data suggest that the JOK-1 cell line is a potentially useful cell line for developing models of gastric epithelial function, development, and disease.

Quantitation of virus-specific classes of antibodies following immunization of mice with attenuated equine herpesvirus 1 and viral glycoprotein D

The antibody responses of CBA/J mice infected intranasally (i.n.) with either the attenuated KyA strain or the pathogenic RacL11 strain of equine herpesvirus 1 (EHV-1) or immunized with recombinant glycoprotein D (rgD) were investigated using the ELISPOT assay to measure EHV-1-specific antibody-secreting cells (ASC) in the regional lymphoid tissue of the respiratory tract. IgG, IgA, and IgM ASC specific for EHV-1 were detected in the mediastinal lymph nodes (MLN) and lungs 2 weeks after i.n. infection with EHV-1 strain KyA or RacL11, or immunization with heat-killed KyA or rgD. EHV-1-specific ASC were present in the MLN and lungs at 4 and 8 weeks, but declined in frequency by fivefold in the lung at 8 weeks. However, i.n. immunized (2 x 10(6) pfu KyA or 50 microgram rgD/mouse) mice infected at 8 weeks with pathogenic EHV-1 RacL11 resisted challenge and showed eight- and tenfold increases in MLN ASC and lung ASC, respectively, by 3 days after challenge. In contrast to the intranasal route of immunization, intraperitoneal immunization yielded ASC frequencies in the MLN and lungs that were only slightly above those of nonimmunized control mice. These data indicate that immunization with infectious or heat-killed EHV-1 KyA, or rgD, induces significant levels of virus-specific ASC both in the MLN and lungs, a specific memory B-cell response, and long-term protective immunity. The finding that the numbers of ASC induced by the pathogenic strain versus the attenuated strain of EHV-1, which were virtually identical, indicated that the ability to generate a B-cell response is independent of and does not contribute to EHV-1 virulence.

Diminished secondary CTL response in draining lymph nodes on cutaneous challenge with herpes simplex virus

We have shown that C57BL/6-derived CD8(+) CTL specific for an immunodominant herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) glycoprotein B (gB) determinant express a highly conserved Vbeta10/junctional sequence combination. This extreme T cell receptor beta-chain bias can be used to track the activation of gB-specific CTL in lymph nodes draining the site of HSV-1 infection. In this report we have examined the accumulation of gB-specific CTL in the primary and secondary or recall CTL responses to HSV-1 infection. We found that gB-specific cytolytic activity present within popliteal lymph nodes draining HSV-infected foot-pads peaked at day 5 post-infection during the primary response. As found previously, this correlates with the accumulation of Vbeta10(+)CD8(+) CTL in the activated T cell subset. Lymph node-derived cytotoxicity peaked between days 3 and 4 on secondary challenge with virus and, somewhat surprisingly, was considerably below that seen in the primary response. This reduced gB-specific cytolytic activity mirrored a near absence of Vbeta10(+)CD8(+) T cell enrichment found within the draining lymph nodes during this recall response, consistent with the overall diminution of gB-specific CTL accumulation in this site. Finally, there was a second wave of biased accumulation of Vbeta10(+)CD8(+) activated T cells within the popliteal lymph nodes well after the resolution of infection in both the primary and secondary responses. These results are discussed in terms of preferential activation of virus-specific memory T cells directly in infected tissues during a secondary CTL response at the expense of draining lymphoid organs.

T-lymphocytes contribute to hepatic leukostasis and hypoxic stress induced by gut ischemia-reperfusion

Although neutrophils have been implicated in the hepatic injury elicited by gut ischemia/reperfusion (I/R), the contribution of other leukocyte populations to this injury process remains unclear. The objective of this study was to determine whether lymphocytes contribute to gut I/R-induced microvascular dysfunction and inflammatory responses in the liver. Intravital videomicroscopy was used to monitor leukocyte recruitment, the number of nonperfused sinusoids and pyridine nucleotide (NADH) autofluorescence in livers of wild-type, SCID, and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) knockout mice exposed to 15 min of gut ischemia and 1 h of reperfusion. In wild-type mice, gut I/R elicited significant increases in the number of stationary leukocytes, nonperfused sinusoids, NADH autofluorescence (indicating hypoxia), and elevated plasma alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and TNF-alpha levels. All of these responses were profoundly attenuated in SCID mice, while only some of the responses (in the midzonal region) were blunted in IFN-gamma knockout mice. Reconstitution (24 h before ischemia) of the circulating lymphocyte pool with T-cell enriched splenocytes, but not T cell deficient (from nude mice), CD4+ T-cell depleted splenocytes or splenocytes derived from IFN-gamma knockout mice, allowed the SCID mice to respond to gut I/R in a manner similar to wild-type mice. Some of the responses were restored following reconstitution with CD8+ T-cell depleted splenocytes. These findings implicate CD4+ T-lymphocytes and IFN-gamma in the hepatic microvascular dysfunction and inflammatory cell accumulation elicited by gut I/R.

Phenotypic identification of antigen-dependent and antigen-independent CD8 CTL precursors in the draining lymph node during acute cutaneous herpes simplex virus type 1 infection

Optimal immunological control of cutaneous herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) infections initiated in the hind footpad of C57BL/6 (B6, H-2b) mice is dependent upon the presence of functional HSV-1-specific T lymphocytes. The class I MHC-restricted, CD8+ T cell subpopulation is involved in the clearance of infectious HSV-1 from the skin and limiting HSV-1 replication and spread within the peripheral nervous system. However, the frequency of HSV-1-specific CTL precursors (CTLp), as a measure of potential anti-viral CD8+ T cell function, is relatively low compared with other acute viral infections. To gain insight into the basis for this low functional frequency, changes in the CD8+ T cell subpopulation phenotype associated with activation and differentiation were investigated. Analysis of the phenotypic changes showed that HSV-1-specific CTLp were found predominantly within a subpopulation of CD8+ T cells expressing high levels of CD44 (CD44high) and high levels of the IL-2 receptor alpha-chain (CD25high). A second activated subpopulation of CD8+ T cells expressing the CD44high CD25low phenotype did not contain detectable HSV-1-specific CTLp, even after the addition of HSV-1-infected stimulator cells as a source of an exogenous Ag. These data suggested that HSV-1-specific CD8+ T cells must increase expression of CD25 before attaining the potential to become CTL effector cells. These findings also indicated that the up-regulation of CD44 alone is not sufficient to identify precisely HSV-1-specific CD8+ T cells.

Phenotypic characteristics associated with the acquisition of HSV-specific CD8 T-lymphocyte-mediated cytolytic function in vitro

Class I MHC-restricted, HSV-1-specific CD8(+) cytolytic T lymphocyte (CTL) function is rarely detected in lymphocytes isolated directly from the lymph node draining the site of infection. However, culture in vitro for 24 to 72 h in the absence of exogenous antigen results in the development of easily detectable levels of HSV-1-specific CTL effectors. The inability to detect virus-specific CTL in HSV-1-infected mice is not well understood. However, since the in vitro culture of HSV-1-immune lymphocytes results in the transition to CTL function, studies of the changes occurring to the CD8(+) T cell subpopulation may provide important insights into the development of virus-specific CTL. Therefore, the phenotypic changes taking place in the CD8(+) population of T cells from draining popliteal lymph nodes of HSV-1-infected C57BL/6 (B6) mice were investigated, focusing on changes in the expression of cell surface markers associated with T lymphocyte activation. The results demonstrate an increase in the percentage of CD8(+) T cells expressing the activation markers CD44 and CD25 in parallel with the acquisition of HSV-specific CTL effector function. Cytolytic function was found exclusively within the CD8(+) CD44(hi) CD25(hi) fraction of cells in culture, but, surprisingly, was not detectable in CD8(+) CD44(hi) CD25(lo) T cells. This suggested that the acquisition of high levels of the high-affinity IL-2 receptor was closely linked to cytolytic function and may define an important developmental stage in the transition from noncytolytic to cytolytic effector cell. In support of this, CD8(+) CD25(hi) T cells isolated from the regional lymph node exhibited direct ex vivo cytolytic function, indicating that cytolytic effector cells were present in the lymph node, but must emigrate rapidly after attaining this level of differentiation.

Effects of in utero alcohol exposure on B cell development in neonatal spleen and bone marrow

The effects of in utero alcohol exposure on neonatal lymphopoiesis were examined in a murine model of fetal alcohol syndrome. At birth, both immature and mature B cells were decreased in the spleens of neonatal animals and these subpopulations of B cells did not recover to normal levels until 3-4 weeks of life. Pre-B cells and total B cells were decreased as well in the bone marrow of ethanol-exposed animals. By 3-4 weeks of life, the number of B cells in the bone marrow recovered to normal levels, but the pre-B cells remained below normal levels through 5 weeks of age. Furthermore, a recently described early B cell progenitor was reduced in frequency in ethanol-exposed neonates. Together, these data suggest that in utero exposure to ethanol can result in abnormalities in B cell development that may initiate at an early stage of B cell development.

Identification and characterization of a 14-kilodalton Brucella abortus protein reactive with antibodies from naturally and experimentally infected hosts and T lymphocytes from experimentally infected BALB/c mice

A low-molecular-weight recombinant Brucella abortus protein reactive with antibodies from a variety of naturally and experimentally infected hosts and T lymphocytes from experimentally infected mice was identified and given the designation BA14K. The gene encoding BA14K was cloned and characterized, and the predicted amino acid sequence of this immunoreactive protein showed no significant homology with previously described proteins. Sequences homologous to the cloned fragment encoding BA14K were identified by Southern blot analysis of genomic DNAs from representatives of all of the currently recognized Brucella species. Studies employing BA14K should contribute to our efforts to better understand the antigenic specificity of protective immunity to brucellosis.

Protective immunity against equine herpesvirus type-1 (EHV-1) infection in mice induced by recombinant EHV-1 gD

The ability of recombinant preparations of equine herpesvirus type 1 (EHV-1) glycoprotein D (gD) to elicit specific antibody and T lymphocyte responses in the BALB/c mouse model of respiratory infection was investigated. Recombinant gD (rgD) expressed as a glutathione-S-transferase (GST) fusion protein in Escherichia coli elicited both high titer neutralizing antibody (nAb) and CD4 T cell proliferative responses following subcutaneous or intranasal immunization, but elicited only a weak antibody response after intraperitoneal immunization. Protection against respiratory tract infection with pathogenic EHV-1 RacL11 was observed in mice immunized subcutaneously with GST-gD. Furthermore, the degree of protection correlated to the titer of nAb and the T cell response observed. Finally, GST-gD was more effective in protecting against respiratory RacL11 infection if delivered intranasally. These results confirm that gD plays an important role in eliciting the protective immune response against EHV-1 infection, and indicate that subunit vaccines containing preparations of gD may be very effective if delivered directly to the upper respiratory tract.

Characterization of the cytolytic T-lymphocyte response to a candidate vaccine strain of equine herpesvirus 1 in CBA mice

The cytolytic T-lymphocyte (CTL) response to respiratory infection with equine herpesvirus 1 (EHV-1) in CBA (H-2(k)) mice was investigated. Intranasal (i.n.) inoculation of mice with the attenuated EHV-1 strain KyA resulted in the generation of a primary virus-specific CTL response in the draining mediastinal lymph nodes 5 days following infection. EHV-1-specific CTL could be restimulated from the spleen up to 26 weeks after the resolution of infection, indicating that a long-lived memory CTL population was generated. Depletion of CD8+ T cells by treatment with antibody and complement prior to assay eliminated CTL activity from both primary and memory populations, indicating that cytolytic activity in this model was mediated by class I major histocompatibility complex-restricted, CD8+ T cells. A single i.n. inoculation with KyA induced protective immunity against infection with the pathogenic EHV-1 strain, RacL11. The adoptive transfer of splenocytes from KyA-immune donors into sublethally irradiated recipients resulted in a greater than 250-fold reduction in RacL11 in the lung. The elimination of both CD4+ and CD8+ T cells from the transferred cells abrogated clearance of RacL11, while the selective depletion of either subpopulation alone had little effect. These results suggested that both lymphocyte subpopulations contribute to viral clearance, with either subpopulation alone being sufficient.

Interleukin 7 induces TCR gene rearrangement in adult marrow-resident murine precursor T cells

Rearrangement of the T cell antigen receptor genes is a complex, highly regulated process. To gain a better understanding of the extracellular factors involved in the regulation of TCR beta and gamma gene rearrangement in adult murine bone marrow-resident precursor T cells, several cytokines were tested for their ability to induce gene recombination. A selected population of C58/J bone marrow cells (Thy 1(low), CD3, CD8, B220) that is enriched for pre-T cell activity was propagated in vitro in medium supplemented with IL-3 and mast cell growth factor (MGF, also referred to as stem cell factor, Steele factor and c-kit ligand). These cytokines were required for the maintenance of pre-T cell activity in culture, but had no effect on TCR gene expression. Several additional cytokines were added to the culture medium. Of all those tested, only IL-7 induced complete rearrangement of the TCR gamma locus. Complete rearrangement of the TCR beta locus was not induced under any of the culture conditions analysed here. The bone marrow cells cultured in IL-3, MGF and IL-7 did not begin to express mature T cell proteins and maintained their in vivo progenitor potential. Furthermore, IL-7 cultured bone marrow cells were capable of differentiation in vivo into all phenotypic subpopulations of T cells, without an apparent bias toward the gammadelta lineage. The data presented here suggest that TCR gamma gene rearrangement in adult pre-T cells is regulated by IL-7, but that the TCR beta locus requires additional or alternative signals for the induction of complete rearrangement.

Equine herpesvirus-1 strain KyA, a candidate vaccine strain, reduces viral titers in mice challenged with a pathogenic strain, RacL

The equine herpesvirus type-1 (EHV-1) strain Kentucky A (KyA) has a long history of repeated passage either in vivo in the Syrian hamster or in vitro in mouse L-M fibroblast tissue culture. This repeated passage in cells other than those of the natural host has caused genomic alterations of the KyA chromosome resulting in deletion of several genes or portions of open reading frames (ORFs). This report presents in vivo data from a mouse model of EHV-1 infection demonstrating the attenuated nature of EHV-1 strain KyA and that intranasal infection with KyA protects animals from subsequent challenge with a pathogenic strain, RacL, by reducing RacL viral titers in the lungs of the challenged animals. Mice infected with KyA exhibit no clinical manifestations of EHV-1 disease and do not experience the wasting that occurs with RacL infection. KyA-infected mice clear virus from the lung by day 5 post-infection (p.i.), whereas RacL infected mice have substantial virus titers (5 x 10(5) pfu/lung) at this time point. Intranasal infection with KyA followed by a challenge with RacL 4 weeks post-KyA infection resulted in a significant (P = 0.0079) reduction in the lung titers of the RacL virus. RacL was identified as the virus present in the lungs of the challenged mice by a PCR assay employing primers to amplify the EUS4 gene which differs in size by 1.2 kilobase pairs (kbp) in the two strains. Importantly, the protection afforded by KyA is long lasting in that challenge with RacL 15 months after KyA infection, results in reduced virus titers and viral clearance by day 5 post-challenge. These results support the further consideration of EHV-1 KyA as a live virus vaccine.

Differences in the recognition of CTL epitopes during primary and secondary responses to herpes simplex virus infection in vivo

The immune response to HSV infection in C57BL/6 mice includes a CTL population that recognizes the virion envelope glycoprotein gB. However, previous studies showed that CTL specific for other viral determinants were also responding to HSV infection. These studies demonstrate that an additional determinant is the HSV immediate-early protein ICP27. During the primary response, both gB- and ICP27-specific CTL were detected in the draining lymph node. In response to reinfection, ICP27-specific CTL were present early in the lymph node, while the appearance of gB-specific CTL activity was delayed. Analysis of the primary amino acid sequence of ICP27 predicted two potential Kb-binding epitopes, one of which sensitized uninfected cells for lysis by HSV-specific CTL. In addition, ICP27 epitope-specific CTL activity was detected in the splenic memory CTL pool. These results show that CTL which recognize different antigens may also exhibit differences in how they respond to HSV reinfection in vivo.

Synthesis and processing of equine herpesvirus 1 glycoprotein D

Previous studies (C. C. Flowers and D. J. O'Callaghan, 1992, Virology 190, 307-315) employed peptide-specific antibodies to identify the product of the glycoprotein D (gD) gene of equine herpesvirus 1 strain Kentucky A (KyA). gD polypeptides of 55 and 58 kDa were detected in EHV-1-infected L-M cells, and the 58-kDa protein was observed in the membrane fraction of EHV-1 virions. In this report, the kinetics of synthesis and processing of gD polypeptides are described. One-hour pulse-labeling of EHV-1-infected L-M cells revealed that gD proteins are first detected at 6 hr after infection and that maximal synthesis of gD occurs between 5 and 8 hr postinfection. gD polypeptides accumulate progressively with time of infection as shown by immunoprecipitation analysis of gD proteins. Pulse-chase analysis of gD revealed that the 55-kDa protein is a precursor to the 58-kDa species and that processing of all pulse-labeled precursor protein requires approximately 2.5 hr. Analysis of the carbohydrate content of gD proteins, as judged by their sensitivity to digestion with endoglycosidases, revealed that the 55-kDa gD precursor contains high-mannose N-linked oligosaccharides, while the 58-kDa gD mature polypeptide possesses complex type oligosaccharides. Expression of the mature form of gD on the cell surface, as determined by fluorescent flow cytometric analysis, is delayed compared to the accumulation of the mature form of gD within the cell. The gD ORF encodes a potential protein of 442 amino acids but analysis of the translated sequence of gD indicated that the gD polypeptide is 392 amino acids, a size predicted by previous mapping of the transcription start site of the gD mRNA. Coupled in vitro transcription/translation of a pGEM-3Z construct containing the 392-amino-acid gD ORF, in the absence or presence of canine pancreatic microsomes, demonstrated that the 43-kDa gD polypeptide undergoes processing in vitro. These studies demonstrate that the EHV-1 strain KyA gD is processed in a fashion similar to that of the gD proteins of other alphaherpesviruses.

In utero exposure to ethanol affects postnatal development of T- and B-lymphocytes, but not natural killer cells

The effect of intrauterine exposure to ethanol on lymphocyte development in the neonatal period was studied in C57BI/6J mice. Mice were bred, and then the female mice were assigned to 1 of 3 diet groups, 25% ethanol-derived calories (EDC), pair-fed control, or ad libitum laboratory chow. At birth, all offspring were cross-fostered to surrogate mothers who had been fed laboratory chow. At weekly intervals, the neonatal mice were weighed, and 4 mice from each group were used to assess the development of splenic lymphocytes. The total number of splenocytes was similar in all three groups at each sampling. The number of T-cells, B-cells, and natural killer (NK) cells was measured by flow cytometry. T-cells and NK cells did not vary significantly among the three diet groups. However, the total number of B-cells was decreased for the first 3 weeks of life in the ethanol-exposed animals. The function of the T-cells and B-cells was determined by assessing the response to lipopolysaccharide, pokeweed mitogen, phytohemagglutinin, and concanavalin A. The response to all four mitogens was significantly reduced in the ethanol-exposed animals and did not recover to control levels until 4-5 weeks of life. Ethanol exposure had no significant effect on the kinetics of acquisition of NK lytic function, as assessed by determining the killing of chromium-51 labeled YAC-1 tumor target cells. These data show that prenatal exposure to ethanol causes a transient immunodeficiency in some, but not all compartments of the immune system.

Expression of membrane-bound and secreted forms of equine herpesvirus 1 glycoprotein D by recombinant baculovirus

Analyses of the synthesis and processing of recombinant full-length glycoprotein D of equine herpesvirus type 1 (EHV-1; gD392) or recombinant truncated gD (gD352) expressed in baculovirus-infected Sf9 cells revealed the following: (1) gD polypeptides encoded by both recombinant baculoviruses react with gD-specific antibodies including peptide-specific antiserum that neutralizes EHV-1 in a plaque reduction assay, (2) both the full-length recombinant gD392 and the truncated gD352 are expressed predominantly as gD species that contain high mannose-type oligosaccharides (55 kDa and 52 kDa, respectively), (3) both the full-length recombinant gD392 and the truncated gD352 are also expressed in lesser amounts as gD species that contain complex-type oligosaccharides (58 kDa and 55 kDa, respectively) as well as the unglycosylated forms of gD (43 kDa and 37 kDa, respectively), (4) flow cytometric analyses of cells expressing gD392 revealed that gD first appears on the cell surface at 24 h post infection; by 60 h, 95% of the cells express high levels of cell surface gD, (5) cells expressing gD352, in contrast to cells expressing gD392, secrete gD into the extracellular medium. This initial demonstration that immunoreactive EHV-1 glycoprotein D can be produced as a secreted polypeptide in the baculovirus system should provide reagents to assess the potential use of gD as a subunit vaccine in an animal model.

Analysis of the cytolytic T-lymphocyte response to herpes simplex virus type 1 glycoprotein B during primary and secondary infection

The immune response to herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) infection in C57BL/6 mice includes a population of major histocompatibility complex class I-restricted cytolytic T lymphocytes (CTL) that recognize the structural glycoprotein gB. To gain insight into the importance of this CTL subpopulation in vivo, gB-specific CTL present in the regional lymph nodes after a primary infection and after a reinfection of convalescent animals were analyzed. In a primary infection, gB-specific CTL precursors (CTLp) that recognized either a cell line constitutively expressing gB or cells pulsed with the optimal Kb-restricted gB epitope 498SSIEFARL505 were present at an estimated frequency of 1/12,000 compared with a frequency of 1/3,000 for CTLp which recognized cells infected with HSV-1 itself. In convalescent mice responding to reinfection, HSV-specific CTLp were present at an estimated frequency of 1/4,000 to 1/14,000. However, gB-specific CTLp could not be detected at this site. These findings suggest that CTL specific for an immunodominant epitope contribute substantially to the primary response but may not be a component of the HSV-specific CTL population that responds rapidly to reinfection in vivo.

Control of acute cutaneous herpes simplex virus infection: T cell-mediated viral clearance is dependent upon interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma)

It is well established that T lymphocytes play a critical role in the control and clearance of herpes simplex virus (HSV) infections. However, the role of the CD4+ and CD8+ T cell subsets in the recovery process has not been clearly elucidated. Cutaneous HSV infection of the footpad tissue of C57BL/6 (B6) mice provides a model to determine the relative contribution of each T cell subset during the important early phase of the response to infection. In this study, we observed that the elimination of mature peripheral T lymphocytes by depletion in vivo with a combination of Cd4- and CD8-specific monoclonal antibodies prevented recovery from acute infection in this model. However, mice depleted of either the CD4+ or CD8+ subpopulation alone recovered completely, with only a slight delay in the total clearance of infectious virus. Adoptive transfer studies revealed that lymph node cells from donor mice selectively depleted of either CD4+ or CD8+ T cell subset in vivo, or from normal donors selectively depleted in vitro, were able to mediate recovery. As CD4-depleted mice fail to generate a CD8+ T cell-mediated cytolytic T lymphocyte (CTL) response, this suggested that the control of cutaneous HSV infections may be mediated by a cytokine-dependent mechanism common to both the CD4- and CD8+ T cell subpopulations. It was subsequently found that the neutralization of IFN-gamma in vivo diminished the ability of mice to clear infectious HSV from the skin, and treatment with anti-IFN-gamma in vivo ablated the ability of transferred T cells to mediate recovery. These studies suggested that IFN-gamma-mediated mechanisms play a critical role in the control of and recovery from acute cutaneous HSV infection.

The expression of CD4 by T cell precursors resident in both the thymus and the bone marrow

A very small fraction of thymocytes has recently been identified that expresses low levels of CD4 in the absence of CD8, CD3, or a TCR. These CD4lo thymocytes appear to be the precursors of the early CD4-CD8-CD3- thymic subset and contain most of the T cell progenitor activity found within the thymus. Here, we examined adult bone marrow for the presence of a similar population of cells and found that 0.5% to 3.5% of C58/J bone marrow cells express low, but detectable levels of CD4 (CD4lo) at the cell surface in the absence of CD3. These CD4lo bone marrow cells display pre-T cell activity, in that they are able to repopulate the thymus of irradiated recipient mice after intrathymic transfer. Moreover, we found that most of pre-T cell activity found in the bone marrow is contained within the CD4lo expressing subset of marrow cells. Although the CD4lo cells found in both the thymus and bone marrow display pre-T cell activity, the CD4lo cells from these two sites showed pronounced differences with respect to their ability to respond to specific cytokine stimulation in vitro. Bone marrow-resident CD4lo cells proliferated in response to both IL-3 and mast cell growth factor in vitro, whereas CD4lo cells isolated from the thymus did not. Furthermore, CD4lo bone marrow cells, grown in media containing IL-3 and mast cell growth factor, retained their pre-T cell activity, indicating that CD4lo cells with pre-T cell capabilities were among the IL-3 and mast cell growth factor-responsive cells. These data suggest that although pre-T cells in bone marrow share the CD4lo phenotype with their intrathymic counterparts, they may be fundamentally different with respect to the environmental factors that control their growth.

The expression of CD4 by T cell precursors resident in both the thymus and the bone marrow

A very small fraction of thymocytes has recently been identified that expresses low levels of CD4 in the absence of CD8, CD3, or a TCR. These CD4lo thymocytes appear to be the precursors of the early CD4-CD8-CD3- thymic subset and contain most of the T cell progenitor activity found within the thymus. Here, we examined adult bone marrow for the presence of a similar population of cells and found that 0.5% to 3.5% of C58/J bone marrow cells express low, but detectable levels of CD4 (CD4lo) at the cell surface in the absence of CD3. These CD4lo bone marrow cells display pre-T cell activity, in that they are able to repopulate the thymus of irradiated recipient mice after intrathymic transfer. Moreover, we found that most of pre-T cell activity found in the bone marrow is contained within the CD4lo expressing subset of marrow cells. Although the CD4lo cells found in both the thymus and bone marrow display pre-T cell activity, the CD4lo cells from these two sites showed pronounced differences with respect to their ability to respond to specific cytokine stimulation in vitro. Bone marrow-resident CD4lo cells proliferated in response to both IL-3 and mast cell growth factor in vitro, whereas CD4lo cells isolated from the thymus did not. Furthermore, CD4lo bone marrow cells, grown in media containing IL-3 and mast cell growth factor, retained their pre-T cell activity, indicating that CD4lo cells with pre-T cell capabilities were among the IL-3 and mast cell growth factor-responsive cells. These data suggest that although pre-T cells in bone marrow share the CD4lo phenotype with their intrathymic counterparts, they may be fundamentally different with respect to the environmental factors that control their growth.

Egg-production drop in turkeys associated with alphaviruses: eastern equine encephalitis virus and Highlands J virus

Alphaviruses were isolated from tracheas of turkey breeders in two North Carolina flocks experiencing a severe drop in egg production. Highlands J virus was isolated from one of the breeder flocks, in which production decreased by as much as 72.6% in selected houses over a 48-to-96-hour period. Eastern equine encephalitis virus was isolated from the second breeder flock, which experienced an egg-production drop of 44.5%. Clinical signs in both flocks were similar, with inactivity and the egg-production drop being the only clinical signs observed. Eggs from affected breeders were small and white, and a few were soft-shelled. Sera collected from the flocks 2 to 3 weeks after production began dropping confirmed the presence of antibodies to the viruses recovered. In the first flock, egg production failed to return to above 50%, although heat stress may have played a role in production recovery. The second flock was taken out of production and recycled.

Characterization of the progeny of precursor-T (pre-T) cells maintained in vitro by interleukin-3 (IL-3). Development of T-cell function in vivo

We have recently described a bone marrow culture system which is able to maintain a portion of the precursor-T (pre-T) cell compartment of adult murine marrow in vitro, in the presence of interleukin-3 (IL-3), for at least 2 weeks. However, because growth in IL-3 might also induce the differentiation of the pre-T cells, it is necessary to determine the extent to which the developmental potential of the pre-T cells is altered during their residency in vitro. Previously, we analysed the progeny of cultured pre-T cells and compared their intrathymic development, their appearance in the periphery, and their V beta gene utilization to that of the progeny of fresh pre-T cells. Within these parameters, the cells derived from cultured marrow cells did not differ significantly from cells derived from fresh marrow cells. However, these studies did not allow us to determine the functional status of the T-cell progeny of cultured marrow. In the work presented here, we analysed the functional potential of T cells which were derived either from fresh pre-T cells or pre-T cells which had been maintained for 1 week in vitro. The T-cell mediated functions analysed included mitogen- and alloantigen-induced proliferation, IL-2 production, and generation of cytotoxic T cells. We found that the cultured pre-T cells were capable of giving rise to mature, immunocompetent T cells which did not differ significantly from the progeny of fresh pre-T cells in their functional potential.

Characterization of the progeny of pre-T cells maintained in vitro by IL-3: appearance in the periphery and V beta utilization in vivo

We have recently demonstrated that bone marrow-resident cells, which are able to repopulate the thymus of irradiated recipient mice (pre-T cells), can be maintained in vitro for at least 2 weeks in the presence of exogenous IL-3. Because this marrow culture system can be applied to the study of early T cell differentiation, it is important to ascertain the extent to which in vitro culture of the pre-T cells might alter the T cell progeny which can develop from them. In previous work, we showed that the progeny of cultured pre-T cells appeared to develop in a kinetically normal fashion within the thymus of recipients and that the acquisition of key developmental markers (IL-2R and CD3) was identical in the progeny of fresh and cultured pre-T cells. Here, we report the results of experiments carried out to characterize the progeny of cultured pre-T cells which were found in the peripheral lymphoid tissues several weeks following intrathymic transfer to irradiated recipients. We found no remarkable differences between the progeny of cultured or fresh marrow cells with respect to the timing of their appearance in the periphery nor their expression of CD4 or CD8. By studying the patterns of utilization of five different V beta gene products by the T cells derived from fresh or cultured bone marrow, we were able to test the susceptibility of both sets of progeny to both positive and negative selection pressures during their in vivo maturation. These experiments established that the progeny of cultured marrow cells were equally susceptible to TCR repertoire selection, as were the progeny of fresh bone marrow cells, and that the process of in vitro growth did not alter the potential TCR repertoire of the pre-T cells.

Characterization of the progeny of pre-T cells maintained in vitro by IL-3: expression of the IL-2 receptor and CD3 during thymic development

We have recently described a bone marrow culture system which is able to maintain, for at least 2 weeks, cells which have the capacity to repopulate the thymus of irradiated recipient mice (pre-T cells). Because this culture system depends upon the addition of an exogenous growth factor (IL-3) which may potentially influence the differentiation of the cultured pre-T cells, it is important to determine whether or not the progeny of cultured marrow cells are able to develop within the thymus in a kinetically normal fashion. Here we report the results of an analysis of the progeny of those cultured progenitor cells at 2, 3, and 4 weeks following intrathymic transfer. The passage of cultured donor-derived cells through critical early (expression of the IL-2 receptor) and late (expression of high levels of CD3) intrathymic events was assessed in these studies and compared with the pattern observed in the progeny of fresh bone marrow cells. The results of these studies showed that the progeny of cultured pre-T cells were able to develop expression of the IL-2 receptor and CD3 surface antigen during their residency within the thymus. In addition, both the timing and levels of expression of these surface markers were virtually identical on the progeny of fresh and cultured pre-T cells. These data suggest that cultured pre-T cells are not dramatically altered by their passage in vitro and are able to give rise to normally developing thymocytes upon in vivo transfer.

CD4-positive T lymphocytes are required for the generation of the primary but not the secondary CD8-positive cytolytic T lymphocyte response to herpes simplex virus in C57BL/6 mice

To understand the cellular basis for recovery from HSV infection, it is critical to identify functional interactions between HSV-specific T lymphocyte subpopulations involved in the generation of the optimal response. To this end, the requirement for CD4+ (L3T4+) T lymphocytes in the development of the primary and secondary CD8+ (Lyt-2+) cytolytic T lymphocyte (CTL) response following HSV infection in C57BL/6 mice was investigated. It was found that chronic depletion of CD4+ cells in vivo by treatment with the mAb GK1.5, which resulted in greater than 95% depletion of peripheral CD4+ T lymphocytes in treated animals, caused a profound decrease in the levels of cytolytic activity obtained during the primary response in the draining popliteal lymph nodes of mice responding to infection in the hind footpads. However, treatment did not affect the levels of in vivo secondary CTL activity in the popliteal lymph nodes, nor the in vitro secondary response in the spleen. The decreased CTL activity observed during the primary response was not due to an inability to prime HSV-specific CTL precursors (CTLp), as full cytolytic activity was obtained following culture of lymphocytes in the presence of exogenous IL-2 and antigen, and the response could be reconstituted by treatment with recombinant IL-2 in vivo. Analysis of the secondary CTL response in the spleen indicated that CD4+ cells were not required for either the generation or maintenance of this aspect of the response. However, blockade of IL-2 utilization by CTL using anti-IL-2R antibodies indicated that this lymphokine was absolutely essential for secondary CTL expansion in vitro. Finally, mice that had been infected 12 months previously exhibited a decreased ability to generate secondary HSV-specific CTL in vitro following CD4-depletion in vivo. Taken together, these results suggest two distinct stages of CTL development during the response: an early primary stage dependent upon the presence of CD4+ cells, and a later, CD4-independent stage operative during the secondary response, which decays with time postinfection.

Herpes simplex virus-specific cytolytic T lymphocytes restricted to a normally low responder H-2 allele are protective in vivo

The herpes simplex virus (HSV)-specific cytolytic T lymphocyte (CTL) response in C57BL/6 (B6, H-2b) mice is restricted exclusively to the class I major histocompatibility complex (MHC) glycoprotein H-2Kb, with no detectable response restricted by H-2Db. However, analysis of the memory CTL population derived from B10.A(2R) (Kk Db) mice indicated that Db was a functional restriction element, and that failure to detect this subpopulation in B6 mice was not caused by the inability of HSV-derived antigens to associate with this self protein. Two long-term polyclonal CTL lines, one generated from B6 mice restricted by Kb and a second generated from 2R mice restricted by Db, were greater than 99% CD8+ and exhibited no natural killer (NK) cell activity. The adoptive transfer of either CTL line to naive recipients prior to infection in the hind footpads with HSV resulted in reduced levels of virus recovered from footpad tissue during the acute phase of infection and a reduction in latent HSV able to be reactivated from the sensory dorsal root ganglia (DRG) during the latent phase of infection. These results demonstrated not only that HSV antigen(s) may associate with Db, allowing restricted recognition controlled by this H-2 gene product, but also that functional Db-restricted CTL have the potential to exert biological activity in an environment in which they are not normally generated.

Modulation of acute and latent herpes simplex virus infection in C57BL/6 mice by adoptive transfer of immune lymphocytes with cytolytic activity

The ability of highly lytic herpes simplex virus (HSV) cytolytic T lymphocytes to modulate the interaction between the murine host (adult C57BL/6 [H-2b] mice) and HSV type 1 Patton resulting in acute infection in the footpad and latent infection in the sensory lumbosacral dorsal root ganglia (L6, L5, L4, and L3) innervating the footpad was investigated. Results indicated that a critical threshold level of infectious HSV was required to establish infection. The adoptive transfer of cytolytic T lymphocytes derived from in vitro cultures after restimulation with HSV-infected, syngeneic stimulator cells exhibiting class I H-2-restricted, L3T4- Lyt-2+ HSV-specific cytolytic activity immediately before infection with a high dose of HSV reduced the levels of infectious HSV recovered from the footpad tissue during acute infection and the levels of latent HSV reactivated from the dorsal root ganglia to levels expected from mice infected with a low dose. Depletion of Lyt-2+ cells from the transferred population abrogated the protective ability, while depletion of L3T4+ cells had little effect. These results suggest that functionally lytic HSV-specific cytolytic T lymphocytes present at the time of HSV infection have the potential to participate in the control of the acute infection and in the subsequent establishment of latent infection.

Frequency analysis of simian virus 40-specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte precursors in the high responder C57BL/6 mouse strain

Studies in this laboratory have shown that long term simian virus 40 (SV40)-specific cytolytic T lymphocyte (CTL) cultures established from the spleens of high responder C57BL/6 (B6; H-2b) mice exhibit a preference for the selection of H-2Db-restricted CTL clones. In this study, we have investigated the basis for this selection. Limiting dilution cultures were established using responder cells from the popliteal lymph nodes and the spleens of B6 mice immunized subcutaneously in the hind footpads or via the intraperitoneal route, respectively, with syngeneic SV40-transformed cells expressing a full length (1 to 708 amino acid residues) SV40 large T antigen. The relative frequency of CTL precursors (CTLp) able to expand in vitro in the presence of SV40-transformed stimulator cells and interleukin 2 and exhibit lytic activity against H-2b cells expressing full length T antigen ranged from 1/1900 to 1/15,000 in the popliteal lymph node and from 1/8000 to 1/55,000 in the spleen. In these two experimental systems, CTLp restricted to H-2Kb were apparently present at higher frequency than H-2Db-restricted CTLp. Furthermore, CTLp recognizing determinants within the amino-terminal or carboxy-terminal halves of T antigen were generated in approximately equal numbers. The relative affinity of SV40-specific CTL, assessed by inhibition with anti-Lyt 2 monoclonal antibody, indicated that CTL restricted to H-2Db interacted with their target with greater affinity than CTL restricted to H-2Kb. These data suggest that the predominance of isolation of H-2Db-restricted CTL clones from long term in vitro cultures may be a function of the relative affinity of this population as a whole, rather than due to the immunodominance of this subpopulation during the in vivo response to SV40 T antigen.

Recognition of simian virus 40 T antigen synthesized during viral lytic cycle in monkey kidney cells expressing mouse H-2Kb- and H-2Db-transfected genes by SV40-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes leads to the abrogation of virus lytic cycle

Simian virus 40 (SV40)-encoded tumor or T antigen localizes in the membranes in addition to the nucleus of SV40-infected permissive monkey cells and SV40-transformed nonpermissive cells. The surface T antigen in SV40-transformed mouse cells provides a target for the cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) which recognize SV40 T antigen in association with murine K/D, class I H-2 antigens. In order to demonstrate that SV40 T antigen synthesized in SV40-infected permissive monkey kidney cells (TC-7) may also function as a target for CTL, cloned murine H-2Db and H-2Kb genes were expressed in TC-7 cells by DNA transfection and TC-7 cell lines expressing high levels of either H-2Kb or H-Db antigens were established after cell sorting. SV40-infected TC-7/H-2Kb and TC-7/H-2Db cells became susceptible to lysis by SV40-specific H-2b restricted CTL. The susceptibility of these transfected SV40-infected monkey cells to anti-SV40 bulk culture CTL and SV40-specific H-2Db- and H-2Db-restricted CTL clones depended upon the synthesis of SV40 T antigen and the expression of the appropriate H-2Kb or H-2Db restriction elements. Treatment of SV40-infected TC-7/H-2Db and TC-7/H-2Kb with CTL clones abrogated the virus lytic cycle indicating that CTL may play an important role in limiting papovavirus infection in the natural host.

Kinetics of expression of herpes simplex virus type 1-specific glycoprotein species on the surfaces of infected murine, simian, and human cells: flow cytometric analysis

The kinetics of expression of the herpes simplex virus type 1-encoded major glycoprotein species gB, gC, gD, and gE on the surfaces of cells of murine, simian, and human origins were studied. Viable cells were stained with monoclonal antibodies specific for each species, and the levels expressed were determined by fluorescence flow cytometry. Differences were observed in both the kinetics and the levels of expression of individual glycoprotein species, depending upon the origin of the host cells. Glycoprotein gC was expressed early and at high levels in cells of murine and human origins, but late and at relatively low levels in simian cells. In contrast, gE was expressed at high levels in simian cells, but was not detectable until late in the infectious cycle in murine and human cells. The kinetics and levels of expression of gB were similar for all cells investigated, whereas gD, with high levels of expression in all cells late in infection, appeared on the surfaces of murine cells very early postinfection. This approach has allowed a simple quantitative method for comparing levels of glycoprotein expression.

Effect of herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2 on surface expression of class I major histocompatibility complex antigens on infected cells

Cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) generated in C57BL/6 (H-2b) mice in response to infection with the serologically distinct herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) or type 2 (HSV-2) were cross-reactive against target cells infected with either serotype. However, HSV-2-infected cells were shown to be much less susceptible to CTL-mediated lysis, and analysis through the use of HSV-1 X HSV-2 intertypic recombinants mapped the reduced susceptibility to a region contained within 0.82 to 1.00 map units of the HSV-2 genome. The study reported here was undertaken to determine the possible reasons for the reduced susceptibility of HSV-2-infected cells to lysis by CTL. Competition for the specific lysis of labeled HSV-1-infected cells by either HSV-1- or HSV-2-infected, unlabeled inhibitor cells and frequency analysis of the CTL precursor able to recognize HSV-1- and HSV-2-infected cells suggested that the reduced susceptibility of HSV-2-infected cells to lysis could be explained, at least in part, by reduced levels of target cell recognition. A determination of the surface expression of the critical elements involved in target cell recognition by CTL following infection with HSV-1 or HSV-2 revealed that all the major HSV-specific glycoprotein species were expressed. Infection with both HSV-1 and HSV-2 caused a reduction in the expression of the class I H-2 antigens. However, this reduction was much greater following infection with HSV-2. This suggested that one important factor contributing to reduced lysis of HSV-2-infected cells may be the altered or reduced expression of the class I H-2 self-antigens.

Cross-reactive recognition of mouse cells expressing the bm3 and bm11 mutations within H-2Kb by H-2Kb-restricted herpes simplex virus-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes

Cytotoxic T lymphocytes, generated in C57BL/6 mice in response to herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV) and known to be restricted in their recognition of HSV-encoded antigen(s) in association with the class I H-2Kb gene product, were consistently found to contain a subpopulation that recognized and lysed uninfected, SV40-transformed cells that expressed the H-2Kbm3 and H-2Kbm11 mutant class I gene products on their cell surface. The mutant cell lines, designated Lgbm3SV and Kbm11SV, share a common amino acid substitution at position 77, with the bm3 mutation having an additional amino acid substitution at position 89. Cross-reactive lysis was observed only after in vivo priming with HSV, suggesting an important role for an antigen-dependent driving step in the expansion of these cross-reactive CTL. The phenotype of the cross-reactive effector population was further confirmed as a T lymphocyte by negative-selection techniques. Limiting dilution analysis of the frequency of cross-reactive CTL precursors suggested that cross-reactivity was mediated by a subpopulation of HSV-specific CTL, and this was confirmed by clonal analysis of the reactivity patterns of short-term, HSV-specific CTL clones. However, analysis of the specificity of the cross-reactive CTL population by cold-target inhibition of bulk culture-derived CTL, or by Spearman ranking analysis of limiting dilution-derived CTL, indicated that the specificity of the cross-reactive population for HSV-infected H-2b target cells and for uninfected bm3 or bm11 target cells was quite distinct. These findings suggested that the cross-reactive CTL population played little, if any, role in the HSV-specific CTL response as measured in vitro. The findings also suggested that the HSV-specific CTL clones able to mediate cross-reactive recognition of the bm3 and bm11 targets had a higher intrinsic avidity for the foreign target than for the inducing antigen.

Cross-reactive recognition of mouse cells expressing the bm3 and bm11 mutations within H-2Kb by H-2Kb-restricted herpes simplex virus-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes

Cytotoxic T lymphocytes, generated in C57BL/6 mice in response to herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV) and known to be restricted in their recognition of HSV-encoded antigen(s) in association with the class I H-2Kb gene product, were consistently found to contain a subpopulation that recognized and lysed uninfected, SV40-transformed cells that expressed the H-2Kbm3 and H-2Kbm11 mutant class I gene products on their cell surface. The mutant cell lines, designated Lgbm3SV and Kbm11SV, share a common amino acid substitution at position 77, with the bm3 mutation having an additional amino acid substitution at position 89. Cross-reactive lysis was observed only after in vivo priming with HSV, suggesting an important role for an antigen-dependent driving step in the expansion of these cross-reactive CTL. The phenotype of the cross-reactive effector population was further confirmed as a T lymphocyte by negative-selection techniques. Limiting dilution analysis of the frequency of cross-reactive CTL precursors suggested that cross-reactivity was mediated by a subpopulation of HSV-specific CTL, and this was confirmed by clonal analysis of the reactivity patterns of short-term, HSV-specific CTL clones. However, analysis of the specificity of the cross-reactive CTL population by cold-target inhibition of bulk culture-derived CTL, or by Spearman ranking analysis of limiting dilution-derived CTL, indicated that the specificity of the cross-reactive population for HSV-infected H-2b target cells and for uninfected bm3 or bm11 target cells was quite distinct. These findings suggested that the cross-reactive CTL population played little, if any, role in the HSV-specific CTL response as measured in vitro. The findings also suggested that the HSV-specific CTL clones able to mediate cross-reactive recognition of the bm3 and bm11 targets had a higher intrinsic avidity for the foreign target than for the inducing antigen.

Mapping of a herpes simplex virus type 2-encoded function that affects the susceptibility of herpes simplex virus-infected target cells to lysis by herpes simplex virus-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes

A function(s) involved in the altered susceptibility of herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2)-infected cells to specific lysis by cytotoxic T lymphocytes was mapped in the S component of HSV-2 DNA by using HSV-1 X HSV-2 intertypic recombinants (RH1G44, RS1G25, R50BG10, A7D, and C4D) and HSV-1 MP. Target cells infected with R50BG10, A7D, and C4D exhibited reduced levels of cytolysis, as did HSV-2-infected cells, whereas RH1G44 and RS1G25 recombinant-infected and HSV-1 MP-infected cells showed levels of lysis equal to that of HSV-1 KOS-infected cells. The intertypic recombinants R50BG10, RS1G25, RH1G44, and HSV-1 MP induced cross-reactive cytotoxic T lymphocytes. Coinfection of cells with HSV-1 KOS and either HSV-2 186 or R50BG10 recombinant also resulted in a decrease in the level of specific lysis by anti-HSV cytotoxic T lymphocytes.

Recognition of herpes simplex virus antigens on the surface of mouse cells of the H-2b haplotype by virus-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes

The recognition by cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) of herpes simplex virus (HSV) glycoprotein(s) in association with the H-2K and the H-2D gene products of the H-2b complex was examined by using cell lines derived from H-2 recombinant mice as target cells, and by using H-2 recombinant mouse strains for the generation of HSV-specific CTL populations. CTL from H-2b HSV-immunized mice were found to lyse HSV-infected B6/WT-3 (KbDb) and K5RSV (KbDd) cells, but not KHTGSV (KdDb) cells. Unlabeled HSV-infected K5RSV cells were as efficient in competing for specific CTL lysis of 51Cr labeled HSV-infected B6/WT-3 cells as unlabeled B6/WT-3 cells themselves, whereas infected KHTGSV cells were ineffective. Furthermore, CTL generated in H-2 recombinant mice containing the H-2Kb allele (KbDd) effectively lysed infected B6/WT-3 cells; no specific lysis was observed with immune lymphocytes from those mice containing the H-2Db (KkDb) allele. Limiting dilution analysis of the interleukin 2 (IL 2)-dependent, antigen-independent, CTL precursor populations showed that CTL precursors giving rise to H-2Kb-restricted progeny were present at a relatively high frequency, whereas H-2Db-restricted progeny were present at low frequency or were undetectable. Target cells carrying mutations in the H-2Kb glycoprotein (H-2Kbm1 and H-2Kbm8) infected with HSV-1 were found to be drastically reduced in their ability to be lysed by anti-HSV-1 CTL. HSV-1-infected H-2Kbm5 cells provided a good target for anti-HSV CTL. We conclude that the HSV-specific glycoprotein(s) are recognized by CTL primarily in association with the H-2Kb gene product.

Recognition of herpes simplex virus antigens on the surface of mouse cells of the H-2b haplotype by virus-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes

The recognition by cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) of herpes simplex virus (HSV) glycoprotein(s) in association with the H-2K and the H-2D gene products of the H-2b complex was examined by using cell lines derived from H-2 recombinant mice as target cells, and by using H-2 recombinant mouse strains for the generation of HSV-specific CTL populations. CTL from H-2b HSV-immunized mice were found to lyse HSV-infected B6/WT-3 (KbDb) and K5RSV (KbDd) cells, but not KHTGSV (KdDb) cells. Unlabeled HSV-infected K5RSV cells were as efficient in competing for specific CTL lysis of 51Cr labeled HSV-infected B6/WT-3 cells as unlabeled B6/WT-3 cells themselves, whereas infected KHTGSV cells were ineffective. Furthermore, CTL generated in H-2 recombinant mice containing the H-2Kb allele (KbDd) effectively lysed infected B6/WT-3 cells; no specific lysis was observed with immune lymphocytes from those mice containing the H-2Db (KkDb) allele. Limiting dilution analysis of the interleukin 2 (IL 2)-dependent, antigen-independent, CTL precursor populations showed that CTL precursors giving rise to H-2Kb-restricted progeny were present at a relatively high frequency, whereas H-2Db-restricted progeny were present at low frequency or were undetectable. Target cells carrying mutations in the H-2Kb glycoprotein (H-2Kbm1 and H-2Kbm8) infected with HSV-1 were found to be drastically reduced in their ability to be lysed by anti-HSV-1 CTL. HSV-1-infected H-2Kbm5 cells provided a good target for anti-HSV CTL. We conclude that the HSV-specific glycoprotein(s) are recognized by CTL primarily in association with the H-2Kb gene product.