Establishing HSV specific memory CD8+ T cells in the female reproductive tract

Rush University Medical Center, Chicago IL

Investigators

Linked publications, trials & patents

Abstract

Program Director/Principal Investigator (Last, First, Middle): Marzo, Amanda, Lee Abstract/Summary. The majority of viral infections in the FRT are established through transmission across mucosal surfaces that line the genital tract. However much of what we currently know about the generation and function of memory CD8 T cells is through the study of CD8 T cells found in the blood and secondary lymphoid tissues. Despite the fact that memory CD8 T cells in secondary lymphoid tissues and mucosal tissues originate from the same population of naïve precursors, they are functionally distinct. In the mucosa CD8 T cells express higher levels of Granzyme B, CD69, and express markers that confer them with the ability to traffic to and persist in specific sites. Successful control of infections that occur in the FRT, such as HSV-2, are thought to be associated with the presence of sustained tissue resident memory CD8 T cells that reside in the draining lymph nodes of the genital tract and the vaginal mucosal tissues. The proposed research intends to determine if we can increase HSV-2 specific effector memory CD8 T cells in the FRT by regulating the level of mTOR signaling using rapamycin. This will be addressed in aims 1 and 2. Specific Aim 1 will determine to what extent rapamycin modulates the generation of tissue resident HSV-2-specific effector memory CD8 T cells in the FRT. In Specific Aim 2 will determine if HSV-2-specific CD8 T cells in the FRT can be enhanced by IL-15 therapy. This will be achieved by establishing if IL-15 administration can reprogram memory CD8 T cells in other tissues to traffic to the FRT and if the age of the memory CD8 T cell impacts their migratory capacity in response to IL- 15. The proposed research is significant, because it will provide insight into our understanding of the mechanisms and signals involved in generating HSV-2-specific effector memory CD8 T cells in the FRT provide opportunities to exploit them in strategies to enhance cellular immunity in the FRT that would ultimately protect women against HSV-2. OMB No. 0925-0001/0002 (Rev. 08/12 Approved Through 8/31/2015) Page Continuation Format Page