[HTML][HTML] Effector T cells control lung inflammation during acute influenza virus infection by producing IL-10

J Sun, R Madan, CL Karp, TJ Braciale - Nature medicine, 2009 - nature.com
J Sun, R Madan, CL Karp, TJ Braciale
Nature medicine, 2009nature.com
Activated antigen-specific T cells produce a variety of effector molecules for clearing
infection but also contribute to inflammation and tissue injury. Here we report an anti-
inflammatory property of antiviral CD8+ and CD4+ effector T cells (Teff cells) in the infected
periphery during acute virus infection. We find that, during acute influenza infection,
interleukin-10 (IL-10) is produced in the infected lungs in large amounts—exclusively by
infiltrating virus-specific Teff cells, with CD8+ Teff cells contributing a larger fraction of the IL …
Abstract
Activated antigen-specific T cells produce a variety of effector molecules for clearing infection but also contribute to inflammation and tissue injury. Here we report an anti-inflammatory property of antiviral CD8+ and CD4+ effector T cells (Teff cells) in the infected periphery during acute virus infection. We find that, during acute influenza infection, interleukin-10 (IL-10) is produced in the infected lungs in large amounts—exclusively by infiltrating virus-specific Teff cells, with CD8+ Teff cells contributing a larger fraction of the IL-10 produced. These Teff cells in the periphery simultaneously produce IL-10 and proinflammatory cytokines and express lineage markers characteristic of conventional T helper type 1 or T cytotoxic type 1 cells. Notably, blocking the action of the Teff cell–derived IL-10 results in enhanced pulmonary inflammation and lethal injury. Our results show that antiviral Teff cells exert regulatory functions—that is, they fine-tune the extent of lung inflammation and injury associated with influenza infection by producing an anti-inflammatory cytokine. We discuss the potential implications of these findings for infection with highly pathogenic influenza viruses.
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