Early Events in the T cell Response to Respiratory Virus Infection - ‘Conveyor belt’ like sequential activation of CD8+ T cells in the lymph nodes. (43.48)

Abstract We have examined the tempo of T cell activation and proliferation in the draining lymph nodes in response to type A influenza virus infections with TCR transgenic CD8+ T cells. The CD8+ T cell activation/proliferation revealed by CFSE intensity correlated with the tempo of accelerated respiratory dendritic cells (RDC) migration from the infected lungs to the draining lymph nodes in response to influenza virus infection. In vivo administration of blocking anti-CD62L antibody at various time points before and after infection revealed that the virus specific CD8+ T cells entered the lymph nodes and activated in a sequential ‘conveyor belt’ like fashion. In conclusion, the onset of CD8+ T cell activation/proliferation after viral infection is controlled by the availability of DC harboring influenza antigens and the migration of these DC from the lungs to the draining lymph nodes. This work is supported by USPHS grants AIO15608, HL03391, and HL071875.