Stimulation via CD40 can substitute for CD4 T cell function in preventing reactivation of a latent herpesvirus
Data(s) |
22/05/2001
15/05/2001
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Resumo |
Reactivation of latent herpesviruses is a particular problem in immunocompromised individuals, such as AIDS patients, who lack effective CD4 T helper cell function. An important question is whether residual immune defenses can be mobilized to combat such opportunistic infections, in the absence of CD4 T cells. In the present study, we used a mouse model of opportunistic infection to determine whether stimulation via CD40 could substitute for CD4 T cell function in preventing reactivation of a latent herpesvirus. Treatment with an agonistic antibody to CD40 was highly effective in preventing reactivation of latent murine gammaherpesvirus (MHV-68) in the lungs of CD4 T cell-deficient mice. CD8+ T cells were essential for this effect, whereas virus-specific serum antibody was undetectable and IFN-γ production was unchanged. This demonstration that immunostimulation via CD40 can replace CD4 T cell help in controlling latent virus in vivo has potential implications for the development of novel therapeutic agents to prevent viral reactivation in immunocompromised patients. |
Identificador |
/pmc/articles/PMC33467/ /pubmed/11353832 |
Idioma(s) |
en |
Publicador |
The National Academy of Sciences |
Direitos |
Copyright © 2001, The National Academy of Sciences |
Palavras-Chave | #Biological Sciences |
Tipo |
Text |