NKG2C/E Marks the Unique Cytotoxic CD4 T Cell Subset, ThCTL, Generated by Influenza Infection

作者：Marshall Nikki B; Vong Allen M; Devarajan Priyadharshini; Brauner Matthew D; Kuang Yi; Nayar Ribhu; Schutten Elizabeth A; Castonguay Catherine H; Berg Leslie J; Nutt Stephen L; Swain Susan L^*

来源：The Journal of Immunology, 2017, 198(3): 1142-1155.

DOI：10.4049/jimmunol.1601297

CD4 T cells can differentiate into multiple effector subsets, including ThCTL that mediate MHC class II-restricted cytotoxicity. Although CD4 T cell-mediated cytotoxicity has been reported in multiple viral infections, their characteristics and the factors regulating their generation are unclear, in part due to a lack of a signature marker. We show in this article that, in mice, NKG2C/E identifies the ThCTL that develop in the lung during influenza A virus infection. ThCTL express the NKG2X/CD94 complex, in particular the NKG2C/E isoforms. NKG2C/E+ ThCTL are part of the lung CD4 effector population, and they mediate influenza A virus-specific cytotoxic activity. The phenotype of NKG2C/E+ ThCTL indicates they are highly activated effectors expressing high levels of binding to P-selectin, T-bet, and Blimp-1, and that more of them secrete IFN-gamma and readily degranulate than non-ThCTL. ThCTL also express more cytotoxicity-associated genes including perforin and granzymes, and fewer genes associated with recirculation and memory. They are found only at the site of infection and not in other peripheral sites. These data suggest ThCTL are marked by the expression of NKG2C/E and represent a unique CD4 effector population specialized for cytotoxicity.

• 出版日期2017-2-1
• 单位河北医科大学