Mhm. Heemskerk et al., ACTIVATION OF VIRUS-SPECIFIC MAJOR HISTOCOMPATIBILITY COMPLEX CLASS II-RESTRICTED CD8-CELLS IN CD4-DEFICIENT MICE( CYTOTOXIC T), European Journal of Immunology, 25(4), 1995, pp. 1109-1112
Acute enteritic or respiratory disease is a consequence of coronavirus
infection in man and rodents. Mouse hepatitis virus, stain A59 (MHV-A
59) causes acute hepatitis in mice and rats and induces a response of
major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II-restricted CD4(+) cyto
toxic T cells, protecting mice against acute infection. In the present
study we show that MHV-A59 infection of mice that lack a functional C
D4 gene activates effector cells of the CD8(+) phenotype. These cytoto
xic T cells lyse virus-infected target cells in a MHC class II-restric
ted fashion. The results indicate that CD8(+) T cells have the potenti
al to utilize MHC class II as restriction element, illustrating that t
he immune system can effectively deal with evading microorganisms, suc
h as viruses which down-regulate MHC class I.