TARGET-CELLS OF CYTOTOXIC T-LYMPHOCYTES DIRECTED TO THE INDIVIDUAL STRUCTURAL PROTEINS OF RABIES VIRUS

Target cells of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) directed to the individu al structural proteins (except for the large polymerase (L) protein) o f rabies virus were established by expressing only the respective prot ein in murine neuroblastoma (NA) and murine macrophage (J774-1) cell l ines. Mice infected with the ERA strain of rabies virus developed CTL responses to all of these rabies virus proteins. The cytotoxic activit y was abrogated by pretreatment of the effector cells with anti-CD8 mo noclonal antibody (MAb) and complement but not with anti-CD4 MAb. Cell lysis by CTL was blocked in the presence of anti-major histocompatibi lity complex (MHC) class 1 antibodies in J774-1 cell lines. Rabies vir us-infected cells express these proteins at the surface, which can be recognized and lysed by the respective CTL. Mice immunized with beta-p ropiolactone-inactivated virus induced a CTL response against glycopro tein but not against internal viral components. This assay system migh t be useful for further analysis of the possible contribution of these proteins in the cell-mediated immune protection against rabies.