Distinctive phenotype for HLA-E- versus HLA-A2-restricted memory CD8 αβT cells in the course of HCMV infection discloses features shared with NKG2C+CD57+NK and δ2-γδT cell subsets

• DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1063690
• Publication Date: 2022-12-01T16:52:43Z
• Authors: Amélie Rousselière; Nathalie Gérard; Laurence Delbos; Pierrick Guérif; Magali Giral; Céline Bressollet...; Béatrice Charreau
• Keywords: Memory T cell

The human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) triggers both innate and adaptive immune responses, including protective CD8+ αβT cells (CD8T) that contributes to the control of infection. In addition CD8T restricted by classical HLA class Ia molecules, HCMV also recognizing peptides from UL40 leader peptide HLA-E molecules (HLA-EUL40 CD8T). This study investigated frequency, phenotype functions HLA-EUL40 in comparison immunodominant HLA-A2pp65 upon acute (primary or secondary infection) chronic infection kidney transplant recipients (KTR) seropositive (HCMV+) healthy volunteer (HV) hosts. frequency hosts with detected was similar after a primary (24%) during viral latency HCMV+ HV (26%) equal conditions (29%). Both subsets vary 0.1% >30% total circulating according host. display specific TEMRA (CD45RA+/CCR7-) but express distinctive level for CD3, CD8 CD45RA. Tim3, Lag-3, 4-1BB, lesser extend 2B4 are hallmarks T cell priming post-primary while KLRG1 Tigit markers restimulated long lived HCMV-specific responses. These equally expressed on CD8T. contrast, CD56 PD-1 discriminating memory HLA-E- HLA-A2-restricted Long higher proliferation rate compared consistent elevated CD57 expression. Finally, comparative immunoprofiling indicated CD8T, divergent share expression CD56, CD57, NKG2C, CD158 lack NKG2C+CD57+ NK δ2-γδT induced response thus defines common immunopattern these subsets.