Murine AIDS requires CD154/CD40L expression by the CD4 T cells that mediate retrovirus-induced disease: Is CD4 T cell receptor ligation needed?

Abstract

LP-BM5, a retroviral isolate, induces a disease featuring an acquired immunodeficiency syndrome termed murine AIDS (MAIDS). Many of the features of the LP-BM5-initiated disease are shared with HIV/AIDS. Our lab has shown that the interaction of B and CD4 T cells that is central to MAIDS pathogenesis requires ligation of CD40 on B cells by CD154 on CD4 T cells. Despite this strict requirement for CD154 expression, whether CD4 T cell receptor (TCR) occupancy is essential for the induction of MAIDS is unknown. To block TCR engagement, Tg mouse strains with monoclonal TCR of irrelevant peptide/MHC specificities, all on MAIDS-susceptible genetic backgrounds, were tested: the study of a panel of TCR Tg CD4 T cells controlled for the possibility of serendipitous crossreactive recognition of virus-associated or induced-self peptide, or superantigen, MHC complexes by a given TCR. The results argue that TCR engagement is not necessary for the induction of MAIDS.

• Authors: Wen Li, William R Green
• Journal: Virology (Virology) Vol. 360 Issue 1 Pg. 58-71 (Mar 30 2007) ISSN: 0042-6822 [Print] United States
• PMID: 17113120 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Homeodomain Proteins
• Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta
• Receptors, HIV
• RAG-1 protein
• CD40 Ligand

Topics

• Animals
• CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes (metabolism)
• CD40 Ligand (metabolism)
• Gene Deletion
• Homeodomain Proteins (genetics)
• Mice
• Mice, Inbred C57BL
• Mice, Nude
• Mice, Transgenic
• Murine Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (immunology)
• Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta (deficiency, genetics)
• Receptors, HIV
• Retroviridae (pathogenicity)
• Virulence (immunology)