Figure 7. Coinfection results in qualitatively diminished CD8+ T cell function as measured by reduced polyfunctionality and co-production of IFNγ and TNFα.
Cells isolated from the lungs and MLN of animals infected with influenza virus or coinfected were stimulated with peptide as described previously. Anti-CD107a antibody was included in the stimulation phase to identify cells releasing lytic granules in response to peptide. Following the stimulation period, cells were stained for CD8, tetramer, LFA-1, IFNγ, and TNFα. Averaged data evaluating the distribution of the effector function of the influenza specific response is shown in A. The percent of NP-specific IFNγ-producing cells that co-produced TNFα is shown in B. Data are the average from 2–3 independent experiments assessing a total of 12–18 (d8) or 10–11 (d11) mice/infection condition. A two tailed student’s t test was used to determine significance. ** p<0.01, **** p<0.0001
