T-Lymphocyte Subpopulations and Function during Murine Cytomegalovirus Infection

Abstract

ABSTRACT: To study the effects of cytomegalovirus infection on T-lymphocyte subpopulations, we determined helper (Lyt 1.2) and suppressor (Lyt 2.2) T-lymphocyte subset numbers using monoclonal antibodies and measured lymphocyte responsiveness to mitogen during sublethal murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV) infection of 3-wk-old Balb/c mice. MCMV-infected mice had reduced Lyt 1.2 to Lyt 2.2 T-lymphocyte ratios on days 1, 3, 5, and 9 of infection. Alterations in T-lymphocyte subsets were accompanied by diminished lymphocyte response to concanavalin A. Lymphocyte responsiveness and Lyt 1.2 to Lyt 2.2 ratios were maximally reduced on day 5 of MCMV infection and correlated strongly with peak virus recovery from spleen, bone marrow, and peripheral blood leukocytes. These results indicate that acute MCMV infection of mice causes abnormalities in T-lymphocyte subset ratios and responsiveness to mitogen similar to the abnormalities observed in human cytomegalovirus infections. MCMV infection of mice is a useful model to study the mechanism by which cytomegalovirus infections induce altered T-lymphocyte subpopulations.

Log in or create a free account to read this content

Gain free access to this article, as well as selected content from this journal and more on nature.com

Access through your institution

or

Sign in or create an account

Continue with Google

Continue with ORCiD