The human cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) response to cytomegalovirus is dominated by structural protein pp65: frequency, specificity, and T-cell receptor usage of pp65-specific CTL

• DOI: 10.1128/jvi.70.11.7569-7579.1996
• Publication Date: 2020-01-06T21:41:21Z
• Authors: M R Wills; A J Carmichael; K Mynard; X Jin; M P Weekes; B Plachter; J G Sissons
• Keywords: CTL*; Cellular immunity

Cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) appear to play an important role in the control of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) normal virus carrier: previous studies have identified peripheral blood CD8+ CTL specific for HCMV major immediate-early gene product (IE1) and more recently, by bulk culture cloning techniques, a structural product, lower matrix protein pp65. In order determine relative contributions which recognize proteins IE1, pp65, glycoprotein B (gB) total HCMV-specific response, we used limiting-dilution analysis system quantify precursors with different specificities, allowing antigenic specificity multiple short-term clones be assessed, group six healthy seropositive donors. All donors showed high frequencies histocompatibility complex-restricted precursors. There was very frequency pp65 (lower protein); IE1-specific were also detectable at three five donors, while directed gB undetectable. A deletion mutant then estimate contribution pp65-specific response; this that between 70 90% all recognizing HCMV-infected cells specific. Analysis peptide some highly focused response single peptide; T-cell receptor Vbeta usage these two shown remarkably restricted, over half responding utilizing rearrangement. Other subjects recognized peptides: nine new epitopes defined, HLA-presenting allele has been identified. four HLA A2 tested study same peptide. This apparent domination during persistent infection protein, irrespective complex haplotype, is not clearly described other infections, mechanism requires further investigation.