Antigen persistence and the control of local T cell memory by migrant respiratory dendritic cells after acute virus infection

Taeg S. Kim, Matthew M. Hufford, Jie Sun, Yang Xin Fu, Thomas J. Braciale

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

142 Scopus citations

Abstract

Acute viral infections induce robust adaptive immune responses resulting in virus clearance. Recent evidence suggests that there may be depots of viral antigen that persist in draining lymph nodes (DLNs) after virus clearance and could, therefore, affect the adaptive immune response and memory T cell formation. The nature of these residual antigen depots, the mechanism of antigen persistence, and the impact of the persistent antigen on memory T cells remain ill defined. Using a mouse model of influenza virus infection of the respiratory tract, we identified respiratory dendritic cells (RDCs) as essential for both sampling and presenting residual viral antigen. RDCs in the previously infected lung capture residual viral antigen deposited in an irradiation-resistant cell type. RDCs then transport the viral antigen to the LNs draining the site of infection, where they present the antigen to T cells. Lastly, we document preferential localization of memory T cells to the DLNs after virus clearance as a consequence of presentation of residual viral antigen by the migrant RDC.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1161-1172
Number of pages12
JournalJournal of Experimental Medicine
Volume207
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 7 2010

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Immunology and Allergy
  • Immunology

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