Identification of Candidate Immunodominant Epitopes and Their HLA-Binding Prediction on BK Polyomavirus Proteins in Healthy Donors.

BK polyomavirus infection is an important cause of graft loss in transplant patients, however, currently available therapies lack effectiveness against this pathogen. Identification of immunological targets for potential treatments is therefore necessary. The aim of this study was to predict candidates of immunodominant epitopes within four BK virus proteins (VP1, VP2, VP3 and LTA) using PBMCs from 44 healthy donors.

Virus-Specific T Cells From Cryopreserved Blood During an Emergent Virus Outbreak for a Potential Off-the-Shelf Therapy.

During the first outbreak of an emergent virus, methods need to be developed to rapidly establish suitable therapies for patients with high risk of severe disease caused by the pathogen. Considering the importance of the T-cell response in controlling viral infections, adoptive cell therapy with virus-specific T cells has been used as a safe and effective antiviral prophylaxis and treatment for immunocompromised patients. The main objective of this study was to establish an effective and safe method to cryostore whole blood as starting material and to adapt a T-cell activation and expansion protocol to generate an off-the-shelf antiviral therapeutic option.

Interactions of Tissue-Resident T Cells.

Resident memory T cells (T) are non-circulating cells that play a critical role in protection from local infections and cancers. Flow cytometric and transcriptional analyses of these cells have defined their distinct phenotypes; imaging allows study of their morphology, localization, and interactions within tissues. Here, we describe commonly used methods to generate cutaneous CD8 T and to prepare skin samples for analysis, including staining of cryostat sections, epidermal sheets, and tissue whole mounts.

Discipline in Stages: Regulating CD8 Resident Memory T Cells.

Resident memory CD8 T (T) cells are a lymphocyte lineage distinct from circulating memory CD8 T cells. T lodge within peripheral tissues and secondary lymphoid organs where they provide rapid, local protection from pathogens and control tumor growth. However, dysregulation of CD8 T formation and/or activation may contribute to the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases.

CD49a Regulates Cutaneous Resident Memory CD8 T Cell Persistence and Response.

CD8 tissue-resident memory T cells (T) persist at sites of previous infection, where they provide rapid local protection against pathogen challenge. CD8 T expressing the α1 chain (CD49a) of integrin VLA-1 have been identified within sites of resolved skin infection and in vitiligo lesions. We demonstrate that CD49a is expressed early following T cell activation in vivo, and TGF-β and IL-12 induce CD49a expression by CD8 T cells in vitro.