Helping themselves: optimal virus-specific CD4 T cell responses require help via CD4 T cell licensing of dendritic cells

Abstract

Although CD4(+) T cell help (Th) is critical for inducing optimal B cell and CD8(+) T cell responses, it remains unclear whether induction of CD4(+) Th responses postinfection are also dependent on CD4(+) T cell help. In this study, we show that activation of adoptively transferred Th cells during primary influenza A virus (IAV) infection enhances both the magnitude and functional breadth of endogenous primary IAV-specific CD4(+) T cell responses. This enhancement was dependent on CD154-CD40-dependent dendritic cell licensing and resulted in a greater recall capacity of IAV-specific CD4(+) and CD8(+) T memory responses after heterologous IAV infection. These data suggest that engaging pre-existing CD4 responses at the time of priming may be a strategy for improving cellular immunity after vaccination.