Role of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells in the prevention of measles virus-induced encephalitis in mice

Oral immunization with recombinant Yersinia enterocolitica expressing a measles virus CD4 T cell epitope protects against measles virus-induced encephalitis

“…This level of T cell response was comparable with that seen after intraperitoneal inoculation of 10 6 p.f.u. MV and has previously been shown to be at least partially protective against MVE (Weidinger et al, 2000;Weidinger, 2002).…”

“…In this study, we have tested whether a bacterial vector immunizing via the gastrointestinal mucosa can be used to induce a strong T cell response for possible future application as a co-immunogen for improved immunization in the presence of MV-specific antibodies. As an animal model we used the mouse model of MV-induced encephalitis (MVE) because it has been shown previously that a CD4 T cell response specific for epitope aa 82-98 of the nucleocapsid (N) protein is able to confer protection in the absence of antibodies (Reich et al, 1992;Weidinger et al, 2000). The vector chosen was an attenuated strain of Yersinia enterocolitica serotype O8 (isolate WA-314) (Roggenkamp et al, 1997).…”

“…Susceptibility is due to a lack of CD4 T cell activation, which results in virus replication and spread in brain tissue. Animals can be protected against MVE either by transfer of MV-specific CD4 T cells or by immunization with the CD4 T cell epitope peptide (aa 82-98) of the MV N protein (Weidinger et al, 2000). Thus, in order to obtain a bacterial vector that was able to induce a protective T cell response after oral immunization, recombinant Y. enterocolitica WA-314 sodA strain expressing either the whole MV N or a fragment of MV N containing the CD4 T cell epitope (aa 82-98) were generated.…”

“…After 48 h, 0?5 mCi [ 3 H]thymidine was added and cells were harvested 18 h later on to filters. Thymidine incorporation was measured using a betaplate scintillation counter (Weidinger et al, 2000). Immunization with either 3610 7 c.f.u.…”

“…Mice were weighed and their reflexes tested every day, as previously described (Weidinger et al, 2000), and moribund animals were killed. Seven days after immunization with either 2610 7 c.f.u.…”