Memory generation and maintenance of CD8+ T cell function during viral persistence

During infection with viruses that establish latency, the immune system needs to maintain lifelong control of the infectious agent in the presence of persistent Ag. By using a gamma-herpesvirus (gamma HV) infection model, we demonstrate that a small number of virus-specific central-memory CD8(+) T cells develop early during infection, and that virus-specific CD8(+) T cells maintain functional and protective capacities during chronic infection despite low-level Ag persistence. During the primary immune response, we show generation of CD8(+) memory T cell precursors expressing lymphoid homing molecules (CCR7, L-selectin) and homeostatic cytokine receptors (IL-7 alpha, IL-2/IL-15 beta). During long-term persistent infection, central-memory cells constitute 20-50% of the virus-specific CD8(+) T cell population and maintain the expression of L-selectin, CCR7, and IL-7R molecules. Functional analyses demonstrate that during viral persistence: 1) CD8(+) T cells maintain TCR affinity for peptide/MHC complexes, 2) the functional avidity of CD8(+) T cells measured as the capacity to produce IFN-gamma is preserved intact, and 3) virus-specific CD8(+) T cells have in vivo killing capacity. Next, we demonstrate that at 8 mo post-virus inoculation, long-term CD8(+) T cells are capable of mediating a protective recall response against the establishment of gamma HV68 splenic latency. These observations provide evidence that functional CD8(+) memory T cells can be generated and maintained during low-load gamma HV68 persistence.