Influenza-Infected Neutrophils within the Infected Lungs Act as Antigen Presenting Cells for Anti-Viral CD8+ T Cells

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0046581
• Publication Date: 2012-10-08T17:13:51Z
• Authors: Matthew M. Hufford; Graham Richardson; Haixia Zhou; Balaji Manicassamy; Adolfo García-Sastre; Richard I. Enelow; Thomas J. Braciale
• Keywords: 0303 health sciences; Neutrophils; Science; Q; R; Antigen-Presenting Cells; CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes; Orthomyxoviridae; 3. Good health; 03 medical and health sciences; Medicine; Humans; Lung; Research Article

Influenza A virus (IAV) is a leading cause of respiratory tract disease worldwide. Anti-viral CD8+ T lymphocytes responding to IAV infection are believed eliminate virally infected cells by direct cytolysis but may also contribute pulmonary inflammation and tissue damage via the release pro-inflammatory mediators following recognition viral antigen displaying cells. We have previously demonstrated that expressing inflammatory hematopoietic origin within lung interstitium serve as presenting (APC) for infiltrating effector lymphocytes; however, spectrum cell types capable serving APC was not determined. Here, we demonstrate neutrophils lungs an important type acting in result exhibit most potent activity. Our findings suggest addition their suggested role induction innate immune responses IAV, clearance, development injury, can APCs anti-viral interstitium.