Distinct regulation of H2-M3-restricted memory T cell responses in lymph node and spleen

J Immunol. 2005 Nov 1;175(9):5998-6005. doi: 10.4049/jimmunol.175.9.5998.

Abstract

CD8 T cell populations restricted by H2-M3 MHC class Ib molecules expand rapidly during primary Listeria monocytogenes infection but only minimally upon reinfection. In contrast, CD8 T cells restricted by MHC class Ia molecules undergo more delayed expansion during primary infection but rapid and robust expansion following reinfection. In this study we demonstrate that primary H2-M3-restricted CD8 T cell responses are unaffected by the frequency of naive MHC class Ia-restricted T cells during L. monocytogenes infection. The magnitude of H2-M3-restricted memory responses, in contrast, is down-modulated by increasing frequencies of MHC class Ia-restricted effector T cells following secondary systemic infection. Suppression by MHC class Ia-restricted T cells, however, is not a universal feature of MHC class Ib-restricted memory responses. Primary systemic L. monocytogenes infection followed by secondary tissue infection, for example, results in robust expansion of H2-M3-restricted memory T cells in draining lymph nodes, despite the activation of MHC class Ia-restricted memory T cell responses. Thus, whereas MHC class Ia-restricted memory T cell populations predominate in spleens following systemic reinfection, H2-M3-restricted memory T cell responses remain prominent in lymph nodes draining localized infections. Our studies demonstrate that interactions between CD8 T cell populations can differ, depending on the status of the responding T cells (naive vs memory) and the route of reinfection. These results may have important implications for prime-boost vaccination strategies.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • Cytotoxicity, Immunologic
  • Dendritic Cells / immunology
  • H-2 Antigens / immunology
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / immunology*
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class II / immunology
  • Immunization
  • Immunologic Memory*
  • Listeria monocytogenes / immunology
  • Listeriosis / immunology
  • Lymph Nodes / immunology*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Spleen / immunology*

Substances

  • H-2 Antigens
  • H-2Kb protein, mouse
  • H2-M3 antigen
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class I
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class II