T-cell subsets and T-cell receptor V beta utilization by Igh-1-congenic mice in herpetic retinal necrosis.

BACKGROUND

After unilateral anterior chamber (AC) inoculation with herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), C.B-17 and BALB/c congenic mice, which differ only in a limited region around the lgh-1 locus on chromosome 12, show a striking difference in susceptibility to development of encephalitis and contralateral necrotizing chorioretinitis.

METHODS

After AC inoculation with HSV-1 (KOS), C.B-17 and BALB/c mice were followed up for the clinical signs of encephalitis and chorioretinitis. At different time points following inoculation, lymphocytes isolated from the spleen were triple-stained with antibodies directed against CD4 or CD8, IL-2R, and various V beta T-cell receptor (TCR) subsets, and were analyzed by flow cytometry.

RESULTS

These lgh-1-disparate congenic mice showed differences in the time course of splenic V beta T-cell receptor (TCR) usage in both CD4+, IL-2R+ and CD8+, IL-2R+ T cells. By day 1 post infection (p.i.), C.B-17 mice showed an increase of V beta 8 and V beta 9 TCR by both CD4+, IL-2R+ and CD8+, IL-2R+ splenic T cells. Susceptible BALB/c mice delayed the increase of splenic V beta 8 and V beta 9 TCR by CD4+, IL-2R+ T cells, which was noted by day 4 p.i. Furthermore, in BALB/c mice the usage of V beta 9 by CD8+ cells was increased by day 6 p.i.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings indicate that early preferential splenic usage of a restricted repertoire of TCR occurs after ocular inoculation with HSV-1 in resistant C.B-17 mice. Such preferential TCR usage by activated T cells may prevent viral replication in the brain and contralateral eye and may be linked to protection from development of encephalitis and destructive herpesmediated ocular inflammation.