Cathepsin C limits acute viral infection independently of NK cell and CD8 T-cell cytolytic function

Abstract

Destruction of target cells by cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) or natural killer (NK) cells requires the coordinated action of the pore forming protein perforin (Pfp) and the granzyme (Gzm) family of serine proteases. The activation of a number of serine proteases, including GzmA and B, is predominately mediated by cathepsin C (CatC). Deficiencies in CatC-null mice were therefore expected to replicate the defects observed in GzmAB-deficient mice. We have previously determined that GzmAB-deficient mice exhibit increased susceptibility to murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV) infection. Here, we have compared the ability of CatC-/- mice to control MCMV infection with that of GzmAB-deficient animals. We..