@article{ReuterSparwasserHuenigetal.2012, author = {Reuter, Dajana and Sparwasser, Tim and H{\"u}nig, Thomas and Schneider-Schaulies, J{\"u}rgen}, title = {Foxp3\(^+\) Regulatory T Cells Control Persistence of Viral CNS Infection}, series = {PLoS One}, volume = {7}, journal = {PLoS One}, number = {3}, doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0033989}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-134248}, pages = {e33989}, year = {2012}, abstract = {We earlier established a model of a persistent viral CNS infection using two week old immunologically normal (genetically unmodified) mice and recombinant measles virus (MV). Using this model infection we investigated the role of regulatory T cells (Tregs) as regulators of the immune response in the brain, and assessed whether the persistent CNS infection can be modulated by manipulation of Tregs in the periphery. CD4\(^+\) CD25\(^+\) Foxp3\(^+\) Tregs were expanded or depleted during the persistent phase of the CNS infection, and the consequences for the virus-specific immune response and the extent of persistent infection were analyzed. Virus-specific CD8\(^+\) T cells predominantly recognising the H-2D(b)-presented viral hemagglutinin epitope MV-H22-30 (RIVINREHL) were quantified in the brain by pentamer staining. Expansion of Tregs after intraperitoneal (i.p.) application of the superagonistic anti-CD28 antibody D665 inducing transient immunosuppression caused increased virus replication and spread in the CNS. In contrast, depletion of Tregs using diphtheria toxin (DT) in DEREG (depletion of regulatory T cells)-mice induced an increase of virus-specific CD8\(^+\) effector T cells in the brain and caused a reduction of the persistent infection. These data indicate that manipulation of Tregs in the periphery can be utilized to regulate virus persistence in the CNS.}, language = {en} }