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Virus-specific CD4+ and CD8+ cytotoxic T-cell responses and long-term T-cell memory in individuals vaccinated against polio.

Wahid R, Cannon MJ, Chow M

Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, 4301 W. Markham St., Slot 511, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA. chowmarie@uams.edu

The presence of poliovirus (PV)-specific CD4(+) T cells in individuals vaccinated against polio has been shown, but CD8(+) T-cell responses have not been described. Here, we functionally characterize the CD4(+) T-cell response and show for the first time that dendritic cells and macrophages can stimulate PV-specific CD8(+) T-cell responses in vitro from vaccinees. Both CD4(+) T and CD8(+) T cells secrete gamma interferon in response to PV antigens and are cytotoxic via the perforin/granzyme B-mediated pathway. Furthermore, the T cells also recognize and kill Sabin 1 vaccine-infected targets. The macrophage-stimulated CD4(+) T and CD8(+) T cells most likely represent memory T cells that persist for long periods in vaccinated individuals. Thus, immunity to PV vaccination involves not only an effective neutralizing antibody titer but also long-term CD4(+) and CD8(+) cytotoxic T-cell responses.

Published 28 April 2005 in J Virol, 79(10): 5988-95.
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