RIG-I Stimulation Enhances the Effector Function and Proliferation of Primary Human CD8 T Cells

Abstract

Cytotoxic CD8 T lymphocytes are crucial in antiviral immune responses. However, their recruitment to infection sites renders them at risk of viral infection, which could affect their effector activity. CD8 T lymphocytes express RIG-I, which detects cytosolic viral RNA and subsequently induces antiviral gene expression. We investigated how Influenza A virus infection and synthetic triphosphorylated double-stranded RNA, a specific RIG-I ligand, influence TCR-dependent effector responses in primary human CD8 T cells. Cells were isolated from healthy donors and either infected with the reassortant virus RG-PR8-Brazil78 (H1N1) or transfected with the synthetic RNA. Proliferation, degranulation, a..