The Collagen Binding α1β1 Integrin VLA-1 Regulates CD8 T Cell-Mediated Immune Protection against Heterologous Influenza Infection

Abstract

A common feature of many infections is that many pathogen-specific memory T cells become established in diverse nonlymphoid tissues. A mechanism that promotes the retention and survival of the memory T cells in diverse tissues has not been described. Our studies show that the collagen binding α1β1 integrin, VLA-1, is expressed by the majority of influenza-specific CD8 T cells recovered from nonlymphoid tissues during both the acute and memory phases of the response. Antibody treatment or genetic deficiency of VLA-1 decreased virus-specific CTL in the lung and other nonlymphoid tissues, and increased them in the spleen. In spite of the increase in the spleen, secondary heterosubtypic immunity..