CD4 T cells mediate killing during persistent gammaherpesvirus 68 infection.

ABSTRACT

CD4 T cells are critical for the control of gammaherpesvirus persistence, but their direct effector mechanisms of virus control in vivo are still poorly understood. In this study, we use murine gammaherpesvirus 68 (gammaHV68) in in vitro and in vivo cytotoxicity assays to show CD4-dependent killing of gammaHV68-loaded cells in mice persistently infected with gammaHV68. Our results underscore the cytotoxic capacity of CD4 T cells during gammaHV68 persistence.