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The primary immune response to Epstein Barr virus (EBV) is characterized by striking proliferation of EBV-specific CD8(+) T cells. In this study we have investigated the clonal composition and functional properties of the cells mediating this primary response and have analyzed the mechanisms that control the downregulation of the primary response and the selection of memory cells. We show that massively expanded T-cell clones often dominate the primary antigen-specific T-cell response. Despite the enormous extent of expansion, the virus-specific T cells express high levels of intracellular perforin and are potently cytotoxic. They are, however, functionally heterogeneous in their ability to secrete proinflammatory cytokines, with subpopulations of the antigen-specific T cells being hyporesponsive. The primary response is closely regulated, and the majority of cells are programmed to die via a cytokine-rescuable pathway, leaving only small populations of memory T cells surviving. Comparison of the clonal composition of primary and memory responses in vivo shows that the clones that dominate the primary response are relatively heavily culled during the downregulation of the primary response and the establishment of T-cell memory.

Original publication

DOI

10.1172/JCI10590

Type

Journal article

Journal

J Clin Invest

Publication Date

11/2000

Volume

106

Pages

1251 - 1261

Keywords

Antigens, Viral, Apoptosis, Biological Evolution, CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxicity, Immunologic, DNA-Binding Proteins, Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte, Herpesvirus 4, Human, Humans, Immunologic Memory, Infectious Mononucleosis, Interferon-gamma, Oligopeptides, Phosphoproteins, Trans-Activators, Viral Proteins