Virus-specific CD8 T cells in the liver: Armed and ready to kill

Abstract

Influenza A virus infection of C57BL/6 mice is a well-characterized model for studying CD8+ T cell-mediated immunity. Analysis of primary and secondary responses showed that the liver is highly enriched for CD8+ T cells specific for the immunodominant H2DbNP366-374 (DbNP366) epitope. Functional analysis established that these liver-derived virus-specific CD8+ T cells are felly competent cytotoxic effectors and IFN-γ secretors. In addition, flow cytometric analysis of early apoptotic cells showed that these influenza-specific CD8 + T cells from liver are as viable as those in the spleen, bronchoalveolar lavage, mediastinal lymph nodes, or lung. Moreover, cytokine profiles of the influenza-spe..