Lymphotoxin-beta-deficient mice show defective antiviral immunity

Lymphotoxin beta (LT beta), a member of the tumor necrosis factor family, p lays an important role in lymphoid organogenesis. In order to determine whe ther LT beta is involved in cellular immunity, we investigated the antivira l immune response of LT beta-deficient (LT beta -/-) mice to lymphocytic ch oriomeningitis virus (LCMV). Cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) responses to LCMV were severely diminished, leading to viral persistence in brain and kidney . However, major functions of LT beta-deficient T lymphocytes and dendritic cells were intact. Reconstitution of irradiated LT beta +/+ mice with LT b eta -/- bone marrow induced a disorganized splenic structure, accompanied b y impairment of the LCMV-specific CTL response. These data indicate that th e absence of LT beta does not affect the intrinsic function of T lymphocyte s or of dendritic cells but that the structural integrity of the spleen is strongly associated with generation of antiviral immunity. (C) 1999 Academi c Press.