Non-specific memory cell recruitment into lung airways

Trudeau Institute, Inc., Saranac Lake NY

Investigators

Linked publications & trials

Abstract

[unreadable] DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Influenza virus is responsible for approximately 36,000 deaths per year in the U.S. Memory CD8+ T cells in the lung airways can play an important role in the control of secondary influenza virus infections. Recently, we demonstrated a strong non-specific recruitment of memory T cells into the lung airways following either heterologous, or homologous, respiratory virus infection. We hypothesize that this non-specific recruitment of memory cells is a component of the normal recall response in the lung airways. However, the factors that control this recruitment remain unclear. In aim 1, I propose to further examine the requirements for nonspecific recruitment of memory T cells into the lung airways by determining: 1) whether the efficacy of this recruitment declines over time, 2) whether CD1 la is required for non-specific recruitment of memory T cells and 3) whether recruitment is reduced in the absence of IL-7 and/or IL-15. Although we demonstrated that non-specific recruitment occurred in both heterologous and homologous respiratory virus infections, the survival and function of these recruited cells in the presence or absence of cognate antigen remains unclear. Aim 2, I will address 1) whether cognate antigen impacts the survival of these recruited cells. 2) whether these early recruited memory cells contribute to protection following respiratory virus challenge. Together, these studies will further our knowledge of mechanisms of non-specific memory cell recruitment and function into the lung airways. [unreadable] [unreadable]