T cell cross-reactivity among viruses of the paramyxoviridae.

Blastogenesis and delayed-type hypersensitivity assays were used to examine mouse T cell responses to five viruses representing the three genera of the Paramyxoviridae. Cross-reactive T cell responses were observed in a lympho-proliferative assay for measles, mumps, respiratory syncytial, canine distemper and parainfluenza type 3 virus. Confirmation of T cell cross-reactivity among measles, mumps and respiratory syncytial virus was obtained with a delayed-type hypersensitivity test. These results show that T cell cross-reactivity is common for Paramyxoviridae viruses, even though these viruses show virtually no inter-genus antibody cross-reactivity. The cross-reactivity among respiratory syncytial, measles and mumps virus at the T cell level may have implications for usage of the attenuated measles/mumps/rubella (MMR) vaccine. Respiratory syncytial virus is contacted by many children before they receive the MMR vaccine and T cells induced by respiratory syncytial virus may influence subsequent development of immunity to measles and/or mumps virus.