gd T cells promote the maturation of dendritic cells during West Nile virus infection

• Published in: FEMS immunology and medical microbiology 2010-06, Vol.59 (1), p.71-80
• Main Authors: Fang, Hao, Welte, Thomas, Zheng, Xin, Chang, Gwong-Jen J, Holbrook, Michael R, Soong, Lynn, Wang, Tian
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: CD4 antigen; West Nile virus
• ISSN: 0928-8244
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1574-695X.2010.00663.x

Abstractgd T cells are important for the early control of West Nile virus (WNV) dissemination. Here, we investigated the role of gd T cells in the regulation of CD4+ T-cell response following a WNV challenge. Splenic dendritic cells (DCs) of WNV-infected gd T-cell-deficient (TCRd---) mice displayed lower levels of CD40, CD80, CD86 and major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II expression and interleukin-12 (IL-12) production than those of wild-type mice. Naive DCs cocultured with WNV-infected gd T cells showed enhanced levels of costimulatory molecules, MHC class II expression and IL-12 production. Further, coculture of CD4+ T cells from OT II transgenic mice with DCs of WNV-infected TCRd--- mice induced less interferon-g (IFN-g) and IL-2 production than with those of wild-type controls. Viral antigens were detected in WNV-infected gd T cells.WNV infection or toll-like receptor (TLR) agonist treatment of gd T cells induced the production of IFN-g, tumor necrosis factor-a and IL-6, which are known to promote DC maturation. Nevertheless, the levels of TLRs 2, 3, 4 and 7 expression of WNV-infected gd T cells were not different from those of noninfected cells. Overall, these data suggest that WNV-induced gd T-cell activation promotes DC maturation and initiates CD4+ T-cell priming.