T-cell intrinsic expression of MyD88 is required for sustained expansion of the virus-specific CD8+ T-cell population in LCMV-infected mice

Christina Bartholdy, Jeanette Erbo Christensen, Mirjana Grujic, Jan P Christensen, Allan R Thomsen

22 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Acute infection with lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) normally results in robust clonal expansion of virus-specific CD8(+) T cells, which in turn control the primary infection. However, similar infection of myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88)-deficient mice leads to a markedly impaired T-cell response and chronic infection. It has been found previously that impairment of the innate immune response is not sufficient to explain this profound change in outcome. Using adoptive transfer of CD8(+) T cells, this study demonstrated unequivocally that T-cell expression of MyD88 is critical for a normal T-cell response to LCMV. In addition, it was found that expression of MyD88 is superfluous during early activation and proliferation of the antigen-activated CD8(+) T cells, but plays a critical role in the sustained expansion of the antigen-specific CD8(+) T-cell population during the primary T-cell response. Interestingly, a critical role for MyD88 was evident only under conditions of systemic infection with virus capable of causing prolonged infection, suggesting that MyD88 expression may function as an internal regulator of the threshold for antigen-driven, exhaustive differentiation.
Original languageEnglish
JournalJournal of General Virology
Volume90
Issue numberPt 2
Pages (from-to)423-31
Number of pages8
ISSN0022-1317
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2009

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'T-cell intrinsic expression of MyD88 is required for sustained expansion of the virus-specific CD8+ T-cell population in LCMV-infected mice'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this