Influenza virus infection of TCD8+ lymphocytes

Abstract

Influenza A viruses (IAV) cause acute infections of the respiratory tract that can progress to serious conditions such as bronchiolitis and pneumonia. In humans, IAV transmission occurs via the respiratory route through droplets and aerosols expelled by carriers, followed by inhalation by recipients, or by fomite contamination followed by self-inoculation. IAV infects the respiratory epithelium, but it can infect lymphoid tissues associated with mucosa, especially in Waldeyer's ring. Our group has already reported the original finding of natural IAV infection in CD8+ T lymphocytes from palatine tonsils and adenoids, which has important implications for a heathy carrier state. Understanding the relationship of IAV with CD8+ T lymphocytes, which can differentiate into cytotoxic effector cells capable of killing virus-infected cells, or CD8+ memory cells, may reveal entirely new and important aspects for understanding the pathogenesis of IAV lymphoid infections. This project aims to specifically study the effects of IAV on CD8+ T cells from adenoids and palatine tonsils, with the aim of evaluating whether this infection is productive and its impact on the vitality, functionality and activation profile of human CD8+ T lymphocytes. In vitro infections with IAV will be performed in CD8+ T cells in the presence and absence of exogenous IL-10, in order to verify the effects of this cytokine on replication and persistence of IAV in CD8+ T lymphocytes. The results have the potential to understand prolonged or persistent IAV infections in human lymphoid tissue.