TGF-β blockade does not improve control of an established persistent viral infection

T Boettler, Y Cheng, K Ehrhardt, M von Herrath - Viral immunology, 2012 - liebertpub.com
T Boettler, Y Cheng, K Ehrhardt, M von Herrath
Viral immunology, 2012liebertpub.com
Acute resolving viral infections are often associated with a strong and multi-specific T-cell
response, whereas in persistent viral infections T-cell responses are often impaired. It has
been suggested that the resuscitation of the antiviral T-cell response could be a powerful
tool to target persisting viruses. Several immunoregulatory pathways, such as IL-10 and TGF-
β, have been shown to be involved in the induction of T-cell exhaustion and viral
persistence. In this study, we sought to investigate whether TGF-β signaling is also relevant …
Abstract
Acute resolving viral infections are often associated with a strong and multi-specific T-cell response, whereas in persistent viral infections T-cell responses are often impaired. It has been suggested that the resuscitation of the antiviral T-cell response could be a powerful tool to target persisting viruses. Several immunoregulatory pathways, such as IL-10 and TGF-β, have been shown to be involved in the induction of T-cell exhaustion and viral persistence. In this study, we sought to investigate whether TGF-β signaling is also relevant in the maintenance of T-cell exhaustion after viral persistence has been established, and whether blockade of TGF-β signaling could improve control of viral replication in a mouse model of persistent virus infection. Using the LCMV clone 13 model, we analyzed the frequency, function, and phenotype of virus-specific CD4 and CD8 T cells following therapeutic TGF-β signaling blockade. We show that in vivo blockade of the TGF-β receptor failed to substantially enhance the antiviral T-cell response, and was insufficient to mediate a therapeutically-relevant reduction of viral titers in different tissues. Thus, although TGF-β signaling has the ability to hamper antiviral immunity, its pharmacological blockade may not be sufficient to tackle persistent viruses.
Mary Ann Liebert