Rapid effector function of varicella-zoster virus glycoprotein I-specific CD4+ T cells many decades after primary infection
Malavige GN., Jones L., Black AP., Ogg GS.
Glycoprotein I (gI) of varicella-zoster virus (VZV) contributes to viral virulence and is therefore a potentially important target for T cell control of viral replication. Persisting effector function of gI-specific T cells after primary infection has not been previously examined. We have shown that, many decades after infection, relatively high frequencies gI-specific interferon-γ responses are detectable ex vivo and are dominated by CD4+ T cells. We characterized the optimal peptide of the strongest response in our cohort showing restriction through DRB4*01. These findings are consistent with gI-specific CD4+ T cell involvement in the control of VZV replication. © 2007 by the Infectious Diseases Society of America. All rights reserved.