Gamma Interferon Responses of CD4 and CD8 T-Cell Subsets Are Quantitatively Different and Independent of Each Other during PulmonaryMycobacterium bovisBCG Infection

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Abstract
Gamma interferon (IFN-γ) is a key cytokine in host defense against intracellular mycobacterial infection. It has been believed that both CD4 and CD8 T cells are the primary sources of IFN-γ. However, the relative contributions of CD4 and CD8 T-cell subsets to IFN-γ production and the relationship between CD4 and CD8 T-cell activation have not been examined. By using a model of pulmonary mycobacterial infection and various immunodetection assays, we found that CD4 T cells mounted a much stronger IFN-γ response than CD8 T cells at various times after mycobacterial infection, and this pronounced IFN-γ production by CD4 T cells was attributed to both greater numbers of antigen-specific CD4 T cells and a greater IFN-γ secretion capacity of these cells. By using major histocompatibility complex class II-deficient or CD4-deficient mice, we found that the lack of CD4 T cells did not negatively affect primary or secondary CD8 T-cell IFN-γ responses. The CD8 T cells activated in the absence of CD4 T cells were capable of immune protection against secondary mycobacterial challenge. Our results suggest that, whereas both CD4 and CD8 T cells are capable of IFN-γ production, the former represent a much greater cellular source of IFN-γ. Moreover, during mycobacterial infection, CD8 T-cell IFN-γ responses and activation are independent of CD4 T-cell activation.