Role of viral infectivity in the induction of influenza virus-specific cytotoxic T cells.

Abstract

The requirement for infectious virus in the induction of influenza virus-specific cytotoxic T [thymus derived] cells was examined. Infectious influenza virus was highly efficient at generating primary and secondary cytotoxic [mouse] T-cell response in vivo. Inactivated influenza virus failed to stimulate a detectable cytotoxic T-cell response in vivo even at immunizing doses 105 to 106-fold higher than the minimum stimulatory dose of infectious virus. Inactivated virus failed to sensitize target cells for T-cell-mediated lysis in vitro but could stimulate a specific cytotoxic response from primed cells in vitro. Possible requirements for the induction of virus-specific cytotoxic T-cell responses are discussed in light of these and other observations.