Inability to detect cross-reactive memory T cells challenges the frequency of heterologous immunity among common viruses

Abstract

Human memory T cells that cross-react with epitopes from unrelated viruses can potentially modulate immune responses to subsequent infections by a phenomenon termed heterologous immunity. However, it is unclear whether similarities in structure rather than sequence underpin heterologous T cell cross-reactivity. In this study, we aimed to explore the mechanism of heterologous immunity involving immunodominant epitopes derived from common viruses restricted to high-frequency HLA allotypes (HLA-A ∗ 02:01, -B ∗ 07:02, and -B ∗ 08:01). We examined EBV-specific memory T cells for their ability to cross-react with CMV or influenza A virus-derived epitopes. Following T cell immunoassays to determine..