Detection of perforin and granzyme A mRNA in infiltrating cells during infection of mice with lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
The analysis of gene expression in cytotoxic T cells by in situ hybridization of serial liver and brain sections from mice infected with lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) and immunostaining with T cell marker‐ and virus‐specific antibodies revealed a close histological association of infiltrating lymphocytes expressing the perforin and granzyme A genes with virally infected cells. Maximal frequency of perforin and granzyme A mRNA‐containing cells on liver sections preceded by about 2 days maximal LCMV‐specific cytotoxicity of the lymphoid liver infiltrating cells. These results are most consistent with an involvement of perforin and granzyme A in cell‐mediated cytotoxicity in vivo.