Date of Award
Fall 12-15-2016
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Bachelor of Science (BS)
Department
Biological Sciences
First Advisor
Dr. Lawrence Mylin
Abstract
Cytotoxic (CD8+) and Helper (CD4+) T lymphocytes play an important role in the immune detection and destruction of tumors. The induction of Cytotoxic T cell responses by multiple CD8 epitopes located within the Simian Virus 40 Large Tumor Antigen (SV40 T ag) oncoprotein has been well characterized, and we have begun to characterize the role(s) of CD4+ Helper T cells in controlling cellular immune responses to the SV40 T ag. The goal of this study was to characterize the cytokines produced by activated SV40T ag-specific Helper T cells in order to identify subset(s) of Helper T cells that may differentially influence regulation of the cellular immune response. Mice were immunized with B6/K-145 cells, which express a SV40 T ag mutant in which the CD8 epitopes I, II/III, IV and V have been inactivated.Frequencies of CD4 epitope 381-, 529-and 581-specific T cells expressing the cytokines IFN-, IL-2, or IL-10 were compared using single and double color ELISPOT assays following 24 of 40 hours of in vitropeptide re-stimulation. The data suggests that distinct populations of Helper T cells may secrete IFN-, IL-2 or both cytokines. Additionally, the ratio of IL-10 to IFN-secreting Helper T cells was reduced in the absence accompanying robust Cytotoxic T cell immune response. Our results begin to support a model in which multiple subsets of Helper T cells, potentially TH1 and Treg, work in parallel to coordinate immune responses to cellular tumor antigens.
Recommended Citation
Raugh, Arielle and Mylin, Lawrence, "CD4+ T cell Regulation of Immune Responses to the Simian Virus 40 Large Tumor Antigen is Complex and Involves Multiple Layers of Coordination Dependent on Immune Conditions" (2016). Honors Projects and Presentations: Undergraduate. 32.
https://mosaic.messiah.edu/honors/32
