Activation status of the CD4-8- γδ-T cells recovered from mice with influenza pneumonia

Abstract

The role that γδ-T lymphocytes play in virus infections is yet to be defined. The TCR-γδ+ cell population found late in the course of influenza pneumonia has been analyzed for ligand-dependent lytic function. These γδ-T cells are not constitutively cytotoxic when recovered directly from the site of virus-induced damage in the respiratory tract, although the TCR-αβ+ population that is present concurrently contains such lytic effectors. Both sets of lymphocytes mediate cytotoxic activity after further in vitro stimulation in the presence of mAb to CD3 and low concentrations of rIL-2. Secondary stimulation in vivo with a cross-reactive influenza A virus does not lead to the emergence of a cytot..