Interleukin-6 is crucial for recall of influenza-specific memory cd4+ t cells

Longhi, Maria Paula, Wright, Kate Louise, Lauder, Sarah Nicol, Nowell, Mari Ann, Jones, Gareth Wyn, Godkin, Andrew James ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1910-7567, Jones, Simon Arnett ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7297-9711 and Gallimore, Awen Myfanwy ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6675-7004 2008. Interleukin-6 is crucial for recall of influenza-specific memory cd4+ t cells. PLoS Pathogens 4 (2) , e1000006. 10.1371/journal.ppat.1000006

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Abstract

Currently, our understanding of mechanisms underlying cell-mediated immunity and particularly of mechanisms that promote robust T cell memory to respiratory viruses is incomplete. Interleukin (IL)-6 has recently re-emerged as an important regulator of T cell proliferation and survival. Since IL-6 is abundant following infection with influenza virus, we analyzed virus-specific T cell activity in both wild type and IL-6 deficient mice. Studies outlined herein highlight a novel role for IL-6 in the development of T cell memory to influenza virus. Specifically, we find that CD4+ but not CD8+ T cell memory is critically dependent upon IL-6. This effect of IL-6 includes its ability to suppress CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells (Treg). We demonstrate that influenza-induced IL-6 limits the activity of virus-specific Tregs, thereby facilitating the activity of virus-specific memory CD4+ T cells. These experiments reveal a critical role for IL-6 in ensuring, within the timeframe of an acute infection with a cytopathic virus, that antigen-specific Tregs have no opportunity to down-modulate the immune response, thereby favoring pathogen clearance and survival of the host.

Item Type:	Article
Date Type:	Publication
Status:	Published
Schools:	Medicine Systems Immunity Research Institute (SIURI)
Subjects:	Q Science > QR Microbiology > QR180 Immunology R Medicine > R Medicine (General)
Publisher:	Public Library of Science
ISSN:	1553-7374
Funders:	MRC Senior Fellowship (G117/488), Wellcome Trust (080340)
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	30 March 2016
Last Modified:	06 Nov 2024 22:35
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/28776

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