Cortisone resistant effector T cells in acute lymphocytic choriomeningitis and Listeria monocytogenes infection of mice

Abstract

Sensitized T cells in both lymphocytic choriomeningitis (LCM) and listeriosis are apparently unaffected by treatment of mice with cortisone acetate. Cortisone resistant immune T cells readily transfer acute, fatal LCM or protection against L. monocytogenes infection. Treatment of recipient mice with cortisone, however, impairs T cell dependent effector mechanisms (i.e. macrophages) in listeriosis, but has no effect on induction of LCM. Acute LCM may thus represent a T cell mediated pathological process which does not require participation of macrophages.