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Published ahead of print 20 November 2013, doi: 10.1128/JVI.02843-13 JVI.02843-13
Human cytotoxic T lymphocytes directed to seasonal influenza A viruses cross-react with the newly emerging H7N9 virus
Carolien E. van de Sandta,
Joost H.C.M. Kreijtza,
Gerrie de Mutserta,
Martina M. Geelhoed-Mierasa,
Marine L.B. Hillairea,
Stella E. Vogelzang-van Trieruma,
Albert D.M.E. Osterhausa,
Ron A.M. Fouchiera,b and
Guus F. Rimmelzwaana,b#
+ Author Affiliations
Viroscience Lab, ErasmusMC, Rotterdam, The Netherlandsa
ViroClinics Biosciences BV, Rotterdam, The Netherlandsb
ABSTRACT
In February 2013 zoonotic transmission of a novel influenza A virus of the H7N9 subtype was reported in China. Although at present no sustained human-to-human transmission has been reported, a pandemic outbreak of this H7N9 virus is feared. Since neutralizing antibodies to the hemagglutinin (HA) globular head domain of this virus are virtually absent in the human population, there is interest in identifying other correlates of protection, such as cross-reactive CD8+ T cells (cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs)) elicited during seasonal influenza A virus infections. These virus-specific CD8+ T cells are known to recognize conserved internal proteins of influenza A viruses predominantly, but it is unknown to what extent they cross-react with the newly emerging H7N9 virus. Here, we assessed the cross-reactivity of seasonal H3N2, H1N1 and pandemic H1N1 influenza A virus-specific polyclonal CD8+ T cells, obtained from HLA-typed study subjects, with the novel H7N9 virus. The cross-reactivity of CD8+ T cells to H7N9 variants of known influenza A epitopes and H7N9 virus infected cells was determined by their IFN-γ response and lytic activity. It was concluded that, apart from recognition of individual H7N9 variant epitopes, CD8+ T cells to seasonal influenza viruses display considerable cross-reactivity with the novel H7N9 virus. The presence of these cross-reactive CD8+ T cells may afford some protection against infection with this new virus.
Human cytotoxic T lymphocytes directed to seasonal influenza A viruses cross-react with the newly emerging H7N9 virus
Carolien E. van de Sandta,
Joost H.C.M. Kreijtza,
Gerrie de Mutserta,
Martina M. Geelhoed-Mierasa,
Marine L.B. Hillairea,
Stella E. Vogelzang-van Trieruma,
Albert D.M.E. Osterhausa,
Ron A.M. Fouchiera,b and
Guus F. Rimmelzwaana,b#
+ Author Affiliations
Viroscience Lab, ErasmusMC, Rotterdam, The Netherlandsa
ViroClinics Biosciences BV, Rotterdam, The Netherlandsb
ABSTRACT
In February 2013 zoonotic transmission of a novel influenza A virus of the H7N9 subtype was reported in China. Although at present no sustained human-to-human transmission has been reported, a pandemic outbreak of this H7N9 virus is feared. Since neutralizing antibodies to the hemagglutinin (HA) globular head domain of this virus are virtually absent in the human population, there is interest in identifying other correlates of protection, such as cross-reactive CD8+ T cells (cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs)) elicited during seasonal influenza A virus infections. These virus-specific CD8+ T cells are known to recognize conserved internal proteins of influenza A viruses predominantly, but it is unknown to what extent they cross-react with the newly emerging H7N9 virus. Here, we assessed the cross-reactivity of seasonal H3N2, H1N1 and pandemic H1N1 influenza A virus-specific polyclonal CD8+ T cells, obtained from HLA-typed study subjects, with the novel H7N9 virus. The cross-reactivity of CD8+ T cells to H7N9 variants of known influenza A epitopes and H7N9 virus infected cells was determined by their IFN-γ response and lytic activity. It was concluded that, apart from recognition of individual H7N9 variant epitopes, CD8+ T cells to seasonal influenza viruses display considerable cross-reactivity with the novel H7N9 virus. The presence of these cross-reactive CD8+ T cells may afford some protection against infection with this new virus.
