Acute rotavirus infection is associated with the induction of circulating memory CD4+ T cell subsets

Malamba-Banda, C. et al. (2023) Acute rotavirus infection is associated with the induction of circulating memory CD4+ T cell subsets. Scientific Reports, 13, 9001. (doi: 10.1038/s41598-023-35681-9) (PMID:37268634) (PMCID:PMC10238530)

Abstract

Strong CD4+ T cell-mediated immune protection following rotavirus infection has been observed in animal models, but its relevance in humans remains unclear. Here, we characterized acute and convalescent CD4+ T cell responses in children who were hospitalized with rotavirus-positive and rotavirus-negative diarrhoea in Blantyre, Malawi. Children presenting with laboratory-confirmed rotavirus infection had higher proportions of effector and central memory T helper 2 cells during acute infection i.e., at disease presentation compared to convalescence, 28 days post-infection defined by a follow-up 28 days after acute infection. However, circulating cytokine-producing (IFN-γ and/or TNF-α) rotavirus-specific VP6-specific CD4+ T cells were rarely detectable in children with rotavirus infection at both acute and convalescent stages. Moreover, following whole blood mitogenic stimulation, the responding CD4+ T cells were predominantly non-cytokine producers of IFN-γ and/or TNF-α. Our findings demonstrate limited induction of anti-viral IFN-γ and/or TNF-α-producing CD4+ T cells in rotavirus-vaccinated Malawian children following the development of laboratory-confirmed rotavirus infection.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Barnes, Dr Kayla
• Authors: Malamba-Banda, C., Mhango, C., Benedicto-Matambo, P., Mandolo, J. J., Chinyama, E., Kumwenda, O., Barnes, K. G., Cunliffe, N. A., Iturriza-Gomara, M., Jambo, K. C., and Jere, K. C.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Infection & Immunity
• Journal Name: Scientific Reports
• Publisher: Nature Research
• ISSN: 2045-2322
• ISSN (Online): 2045-2322
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2023 The Authors
• First Published: First published in Scientific Reports 13: 9001
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced under a Creative Commons License