HIV-1gag/IFNα-2b表达产物的生物活性研究

目的:将艾滋病病毒核心蛋白(gag)与干扰素(IFNα-2b)融合基因表达的融合蛋白作为免疫原免疫小鼠,动态观察小鼠的体液免疫、细胞免疫与CTL应答.方法:将IFNα-2b基因片段插入到gag基因的nt531位点,经脂质体转染与血凝素阴性蚀斑筛选,挑出重组痘苗病毒.经SDS-PAGE和Western blot鉴定表达产物.以小鼠为实验对象,用重组痘苗病毒vJ38gag/IFNα-2b免疫小鼠,用ELISA方法检测血清IgG抗体含量.用流式细胞仪测定小鼠外周血CD+4、CD+8T淋巴细胞计数.3H-TdR掺入法检测细胞毒性T淋巴细胞杀伤活性.结果:血清IgG抗体含量逐渐增高,实验组与对照组比较差异有显著性意义(p＜0.05).CD+4、CD+8T淋巴细胞计数、CTL检测实验组与对照组比较差异均有显著性意义(p＜0.05).结论:重组痘苗病毒vJ38gag/IFNα-2b能增强小鼠的体液免疫、细胞免疫和CTL应答.IFNα-2b可以作为免疫佐剂增强机体的免疫状态.     

HIV—lgag／IFNα—2b表达产物的生物活性研究

目的 :将艾滋病病毒核心蛋白 (gag)与干扰素 (IFNα - 2b)融合基因表达的融合蛋白作为免疫原免疫小鼠 ,动态观察小鼠的体液免疫、细胞免疫与CTL应答。方法 :将IFNα - 2b基因片段插入到gag基因的nt5 31位点 ,经脂质体转染与血凝素阴性蚀斑筛选 ,挑出重组痘苗病毒。经SDS -PAGE和Westernblot鉴定表达产物。以小鼠为实验对象 ,用重组痘苗病毒vJ38gag/IFNα - 2b免疫小鼠 ,用ELISA方法检测血清IgG抗体含量。用流式细胞仪测定小鼠外周血CD 4 、CD 8T淋巴细胞计数。 3H -TdR掺入法检测细胞毒性T淋巴细胞杀伤活性。结果 :血清IgG抗体含量逐渐增高 ,实验组与对照组比较差异有显著性意义 (p <0 .0 5 )。CD 4 、CD 8T淋巴细胞计数、CTL检测实验组与对照组比较差异均有显著性意义 (p <0 .0 5 )。结论 :重组痘苗病毒vJ38gag/IFNα - 2b能增强小鼠的体液免疫、细胞免疫和CTL应答。IFNα - 2b可以作为免疫佐剂增强机体的免疫状态。     

EIAV env基因在痘苗病毒中的表达及其免疫效果的观察

将马传贫驴白细胞弱毒疫苗及其亲本株env基因克隆到痘苗病毒表达载体pSC65的pE/L启动子下游,通过同源重组插入到痘苗病毒天坛株基因组TK区,经蓝白斑筛选获得重组痘苗病毒rvv-DLVenv和rvv-LNenv,Western blot检测目的蛋白的表达,结果表明重组痘苗病毒能够有效表达完整的EIAV Env蛋白,其肌肉接种免疫小鼠后,表达的目的蛋白具有良好的免疫原性,能够诱导机体产生有效的体液和细胞免疫应答,其中以细胞免疫效果更为显著,CTL特异性裂解最高可达28%.本研究为EIAV基因工程疫苗的开发研制奠定了基础.     

EIAV env基因在痘苗病毒中的表达及其免疫效果的观察

将马传贫驴白细胞弱毒疫苗及其亲本株env基因克隆到痘苗病毒表达载体pSC65的pE／L启动子下游,通过同源重组插入到痘苗病毒天坛株基因组TK区,经蓝白斑筛选获得重组痘苗病毒rvv—DINenv和rvv—LNenv,Westem blot检测目的蛋白的表达,结果表明重组痘苗病毒能够有效表达完整的EIAV Env蛋白,其肌肉接种免疫小鼠后,表达的目的蛋白具有良好的免疫原性,能够诱导机体产生有效的体液和细胞免疫应答,其中以细胞免疫效果更为显著,CTL特异性裂解最高可达28％。本研究为EIAV基因工程疫苗的开发研制奠定了基础。     

免疫共刺激分子OX40L对乙型肝炎核酸疫苗的免疫佐剂作用

[目的]为了进一步增强HBV DNA疫苗的免疫反应,本研究将共刺激分子OX40L 作为HBV DNA疫苗的分子佐剂免疫小鼠,旨在探讨共刺激分子OX40L对HBV DNA疫苗诱导体液和细胞免疫应答的影响.[方法]我们将HBV DNA疫苗(pcDS2)单独或联合共刺激分子质粒pOX40L免疫C57BL/6小鼠;分别在第0,2,4周进行免疫,在第6周检测抗-HBs IgG、IgG1和IgG2a,T淋巴细胞增殖指数,细胞因子表达水平和体内细胞毒性T淋巴细胞杀伤作用(CTL)等免疫学指标.[结果]pceDS2联合pOX40L免疫组小鼠的抗-HBs水平显著提高,抗-HBs IgG亚类以IgG2a占优;免疫小鼠的T淋巴细胞体外经乙型肝炎表面抗原(HBsAg)刺激后,联合免疫组刺激指数(SI)明显高于pcDS2组;联合免疫组CD4 + T淋巴细胞的IL-4和IFN-γ表达水平及CD8 + T淋巴细胞的IFN-γ表达水平显著升高;DNA疫苗免疫的各组小鼠,HBsAg特异性体内CTL高于对照组,其中联合免疫组小鼠的体内CTL杀伤作用最强.[结论]共刺激分子OX40L不仅能增强HBV DNA疫苗诱导特异性体液免疫应答,还能增强特异性细胞免疫反应,尤其增强体内CTL的杀伤活性,为HBV DNA疫苗的研究奠定了基础.     

HIV-2gag-gp105嵌合基因DNA疫苗对小鼠的免疫原性研究

利用真核表达载体pVAX1构建HIV-2 gag-gp105嵌合基因的重组质粒pVAX1gag-gp105,将其转入BHK21细胞中,利用间接免疫荧光方法检测其表达情况.进一步分别将核酸疫苗质粒pVAX1gag-gp105、对照组质粒pVAX1和PBS溶液经肌肉注射免疫BALB/c小鼠,检测免疫小鼠脾CD4+、CD8+T细胞亚群的数量,脾特异性CTL杀伤活性和血清抗体滴度.结果显示,重组核酸疫苗质粒pVAX1gag-gp105疫组小鼠脾CD4+、CD8+T细胞亚群的数值均比对照组高(P＜0.01),脾特异性CTL杀伤活性与对照组相比差异极显著(P＜0.01),血清抗体滴度显著高于对照组(P＜0.01).以上结果表明,HIV-2 gag-gp105嵌合基因DNA疫苗对BALB/c小鼠具有良好的体液和细胞免疫原性.     

海胆黄多糖SEP对S180的体内抑制作用

研究海胆黄多糖SEP对S180肉瘤的抑制作用及初步机制。MTT法检测SEP对体外培养的S180细胞生长的抑制作用;建立小鼠S180肉瘤模型观察SEP抗肿瘤活性;检测SEP协同ConA/LPS刺激小鼠脾淋巴细胞增殖作用;同时,考察SEP对NK细胞和杀伤性T淋巴细胞(cytotoxic T lym-phocyte,CTL)活性的影响;碳粒廓清检测SEP对小鼠单核巨噬细胞吞噬功能的影响。研究表明,海胆黄多糖SEP高中低剂量(16、8、4 mg/kg)显著抑制小鼠180实体瘤生长,增加小鼠脾指数和胸腺指数,协同ConA/LPS刺激小鼠脾淋巴细胞增殖,提高小鼠NK细胞和CTL活性,增强小鼠单核巨噬细胞的吞噬功能,通过免疫调节提高小鼠免疫功能达到抑制S180作用。     

HIV-1gag/IFNα-2b的构建与表达鉴定

目的：构建艾滋病病毒核心蛋白(gag)与干扰素(IFNα-2b)融合基因表达质粒,观察其在痘苗病毒中共表达结果,研究其意义。方法：利用基因重组技术,将IFNα-2b基因片段插入到gag基因的nt531位点,经脂质体转染与血凝素阴性蚀斑筛选,挑出重组痘苗病毒。经免疫荧光、Western blot和Dot-ELISA鉴定表送产物。结果：间接免疫荧光实验结果显示,转染重组质粒的细胞表面有绿色荧光。免疫印迹实验与Dot-EILSA结果均显示重组质粒转染细胞的裂解物中存在表达的gag／IFNα-2b蛋白。结论：成功地构建了重组真核细胞表达质粒,表达的蛋白具有良好的免疫原性与免疫反应性。     

佐剂CpG-ODN与重组HBsAg疫苗联合免疫乙型肝炎病毒转基因小鼠的免疫应答研究

目的 以CpG-ODN为佐剂与重组HBsAg(rHBsAg)疫苗合用,研究其对乙型肝炎病毒转基因(HBV Tg)小鼠模型的免疫应答效果.方法 40只HBV Tg小鼠随机分为4组,每组小鼠分别注射rHBsAg疫苗(单用rHBsAg组)、rHBsAg疫苗+CpG-ODN(试验组)、rIFNα-2b(IFN组)、生理盐水(对照组).经多次免疫HBV转基因小鼠,于免疫前、后不同时间采血,动态观察各组小鼠血清中HBsAg量、抗-HBs阳性率和HBV DNA的变化,检测肝组织中HBsAg的表达.检测免疫小鼠的外周血T淋巴细胞亚群和白细胞介素2(IL-2)、IL-12(p70)以及γ干扰素(IFN-γ)的含量,分别检测免疫小鼠的脾细胞增殖和细胞毒性T淋巴细胞(CTL)杀伤功能并计算各组小鼠肝组织活性指数(HAI).结果 rHBsAg组和rHBsAg+CpG组在免疫小鼠后2周100%诱导抗-HBs;rHBsAg+CpG组能显著降低血清中的HBsAg量或使HBsAg转阴,rHBsAg+CpG组肝组织中HBsAg的表达量与血清中一样降低,并降低血清中HBV DNA的拷贝数.rHBsAg组的CD3+、CD4+、CD8+细胞在T细胞中所占百分比,IL-2、IL-12(p70)和IFN-γ的含量以及淋巴细胞特异性增殖和杀伤效应均明显高于对照组(P＜0.05).rHBsAg+CpG组与rHBsAg组比较,免疫小鼠产生更强的HBV特异性细胞应答(P＜0.05),且以Th1型细胞免疫应答为主.在rHBsAg+CpG组肝组织中出现大量淋巴细胞,肝脏的HAI在4个组中最高.结论 CpG-ODN作为佐剂可以增强重组HBsAg疫苗诱导HBV转基因小鼠产生抗病毒免疫应答,重组HBsAg疫苗辅以CpG ODN可作为免疫治疗慢性HBV感染的可行性途经.     

超抗原SEA增强小鼠对HBV DNA 疫苗的免疫反应

观察超抗原SEA(D227A)的真核表达载体(pmSEA),对HBVDNA疫苗诱导Balbc小鼠(H2d)免疫应答的调节作用。肌内注射空载体pcDNA3、HBVDNA疫苗加pmSEA佐剂(pHBVS2S+pmSEA)或不加佐剂(pHBVS2S);ELISA法测定血清抗HBs;ELISPOT检测分泌IFNγ的脾淋巴细胞;4h51Cr释放法检测小鼠脾细胞CTL活性。HBVDNA佐剂组免疫小鼠抗HBsAg抗体滴度明显高于不加佐剂组,其IgG1IgG2a的比例不同于多肽免疫组,二者分别为0.282与10。HBVDNA佐剂组均能增强IgG1和IgG2a的产生,是不加佐剂组的1.36、1.73倍。佐剂组小鼠脾淋巴细胞IFNγ的分泌量是不加佐剂组2～3倍。CTL细胞杀伤活性(E:T=100)佐剂组与不加佐剂组分别为:69.77%±7.5%、42.81%±7.7%,差异显著(P<0.05)。HBVDNA疫苗具有较强的免疫原性,能够诱导机体产生特异性的抗体及CTL反应;pmSEA佐剂能够提高小鼠对DNA疫苗的免疫应答,有望成为DNA疫苗的免疫佐剂。     

Recombinant Vaccinia Virus Coexpressing the F Protein of Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) and Interleukin-4 (IL-4) Does Not Inhibit the Development of RSV-Specific Memory Cytotoxic T Lymphocytes, whereas Priming Is Diminished in the Presence of High Levels of IL-2 or Gamma Interferon

In order to investigate if immune responses to the fusion (F) protein of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) could be influenced by cytokines, recombinant vaccinia viruses (rVV) carrying both the F gene of RSV and the gene for murine interleukin-2 (IL-2), IL-4, or gamma interferon (IFN-γ) were constructed. In vitro characterization of rVV revealed that insertion of the cytokine gene into the VP37 locus of the vaccinia virus genome resulted in 100- to 1,000-fold higher expression than insertion of the same gene into the thymidine kinase (TK) locus. In comparison, only a two- to fivefold difference in the level of expression of the F protein was observed when the gene was inserted into either of these two loci. Mice vaccinated with rVV expressing the F protein and high levels of IL-2 or IFN-γ cleared rVV more rapidly than mice inoculated with a control rVV and developed only low levels of RSV-specific serum antibody. In addition, these recombinants were much less effective at priming RSV-specific memory cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) and IFN-γ production by spleen cells than rVV expressing the F protein alone. In contrast, mice vaccinated with rVV expressing high levels of IL-4 showed signs of delayed rVV clearance. RSV-specific serum antibody responses were biased in favor of immunoglobulin G1 (IgG1) in these mice, as there was a significant reduction in IgG2a antibody responses compared with serum antibody responses in mice vaccinated with rVV expressing the F protein alone. However, vaccination with rVV expressing the F protein together with high levels of IL-4 did not alter the development of RSV-specific memory CTL or IFN-γ production by RSV-restimulated splenocytes.     

Cytolytic T-lymphocyte responses to respiratory syncytial virus: effector cell phenotype and target proteins.

Cytolytic T-lymphocyte (CTL) activity specific for respiratory syncytial (RS) virus was investigated after intranasal infection of mice with RS virus, after intraperitoneal infection of mice with a recombinant vaccinia virus expressing the F glycoprotein, and after intramuscular vaccination of mice with Formalin-inactivated RS virus or a chimeric glycoprotein, FG, expressed from a recombinant baculovirus. Spleen cell cultures from mice previously infected with live RS virus or the F-protein recombinant vaccinia virus had significant CTL activity after one cycle of in vitro restimulation with RS virus, and lytic activity was derived from a major histocompatibility complex-restricted, Lyt2.2+ (CD8+) subset. CTL activity was not restimulated in spleen cells from mice that received either the Formalin-inactivated RS virus or the purified glycoprotein, FG. The protein target structures for recognition by murine CD8+ CTL were identified by using target cells infected with recombinant vaccinia viruses that individually express seven structural proteins of RS virus. Quantitation of cytolytic activity against cells expressing each target structure suggested that 22K was the major target protein for CD8+ CTL, equivalent to recognition of cells infected with RS virus, followed by intermediate recognition of F or N, slight recognition of P, and no recognition of G, SH, or M. Repeated stimulation of murine CTL with RS virus resulted in outgrowth of CD4+ CTL which, over time, became the exclusive subset in culture. Murine CD4+ CTL were highly cytolytic for RS virus-infected cells, but they did not recognize target cells infected with any of the recombinant vaccinia viruses expressing the seven RS virus structural proteins. Finally, the CTL response in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of adult human volunteers was investigated. The detection of significant levels of RS virus-specific cytolytic activity in these cells was dependent on at least two restimulations with RS virus in vitro, and cytolytic activity was derived primarily from the CD4+ subset.     

The 22,000-kilodalton protein of respiratory syncytial virus is a major target for Kd-restricted cytotoxic T lymphocytes from mice primed by infection.

Recombinant vaccinia viruses containing the 22-kilodalton protein (matrixlike or 22K protein) or phosphoprotein gene from respiratory syncytial virus were constructed. These recombinant viruses expressed proteins which were immunoprecipitated by appropriate respiratory syncytial virus antibodies and comigrated with authentic proteins produced by respiratory syncytial virus infection. The new recombinant viruses (and others previously described containing the attachment glycoprotein, fusion, or nucleoprotein genes of respiratory syncytial virus) were used to infect target cells for cultured polyclonal cytotoxic T lymphocytes generated from the spleens of BALB/c or DBA/2 mice primed by intranasal infection with respiratory syncytial virus. Respiratory syncytial virus-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) showed strong Kd (but not Dd)-restricted recognition of the 22K protein. As previously reported, the fusion protein and nucleoprotein were both seen by CTL, but recognition of these proteins was comparatively weak. There was no detectable recognition of other respiratory syncytial virus proteins tested (including phosphoprotein). 22K protein-specific splenic memory CTL persisted for at least 11 months after infection of BALB/c mice. Priming BALB/c mice with recombinant vaccinia virus containing the 22K protein gene induced respiratory syncytial virus-specific memory CTL at lower levels than that previously reported following infection with a similar recombinant containing the fusion protein gene. These data identify the 22K protein as a major target antigen for respiratory syncytial virus-specific CTL from H-2d mice primed by respiratory syncytial virus infection.     

Proliferative and cytotoxic T cells to AIDS virus glycoproteins in chimpanzees immunized with a recombinant vaccinia virus expressing AIDS virus envelope glycoproteins

PBL from chimpanzees immunized with a recombinant vaccinia virus that expresses HIV envelope glycoproteins ("env"), were found to proliferate after stimulation with HIV or with "env". Furthermore, CTL clones lytic for autologous target cells expressing HIV envelope glycoproteins were generated after stimulation of the chimpanzees' PBL with "env", indicating that immunization of these primates with a recombinant vaccinia virus primes HIV-specific CTL and also that HIV envelope glycoproteins serve as target antigens for CTL.     

Assessment of a vaccinia virus vectored multi-epitope live vaccine candidate for Plasmodium falciparum

We constructed a live recombinant vaccinia virus vaccine candidate containing a synthesised hybrid gene termed 'HGFSP' encoding circumsporozoite protein (CSP), major merozoite surface antigen-1(MSA1), major merozoite surface antigen-2 (MSA2), and ring-infected erythrocyte surface antigen (RESA) of Plasmodium falciparum, interleukin-1 (IL-1) and tetanus toxin (TT) epitopes. Anti-recombinant vaccinia virus rabbit sera and IgG were tested in inhibition experiments in vitro. Results showed that the recombinant vaccinia virus had some capability to inhibit the growth of P. falciparum in vitro. The sera of rabbits, rats, and mice immunised with recombinant virus showed obvious IL-2 activity 4-6 weeks after immunisation. The interferon (IFN) level of sera from these animals 6 weeks after immunisation was significantly higher than before immunisation. These results indicate that the recombinant vaccinia virus can stimulate cell mediated responses (Th1 cell response) in immunised animals, and has the capability to inhibit multiplication of in vitro cultured P. falciparum. Thus this recombinant vaccinia virus is an appropriate vaccine candidate for further evaluation in Aotus monkey or human clinical trails.     

Induction of cytotoxic T cells to a cross-reactive epitope in the hepatitis C virus nonstructural RNA polymerase-like protein.

Cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) have been found to mediate protection in vivo against certain virus infections. CTL also may play an important role in control of infection by hepatitis C virus (HCV), but no CTL epitopes have yet been defined in any HCV protein. The nonstructural protein with homology to RNA polymerase should be a relatively conserved target protein for CTL. To investigate the epitope specificity of CTL specific for this protein, we used 28 peptides from this sequence to study murine CTL. Mice were immunized with a recombinant vaccinia virus expressing the HCV nonstructural region corresponding to the flavivirus NS5 gene (RNA polymerase), and the primed spleen cells were restimulated in vitro with peptides. CTL from H-2d mice responded to a single 16-residue synthetic peptide (HCV 2422 to 2437). This relatively conserved epitope was presented by H-2d class I major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules to conventional CD4- CD8+ CTL but was not recognized by CTL restricted by H-2b. Moreover, exon shuffle experiments using several transfectants expressing recombinant Dd/Ld and Kd demonstrated that this peptide is seen in association with alpha 1 and alpha 2 domains of the Dd class I MHC molecule. This peptide differs from the homologous segments of this nonstructural region from three other HCV isolates by one residue each. Variant peptides with single amino acid substitutions were made to test the effect of each residue on the ability to sensitize targets. Neither substitution affected recognition. Therefore, these conservative mutations affected peptide interaction neither with the Dd class I MHC molecule nor with the T-cell receptor. Because these CTL cross-react with all four sequenced isolates of HCV in the United States and Japan, if human CTL display similar cross-reactivity, this peptide may be valuable for studies of HCV diagnosis and vaccine development. Our study provides the first evidence that CD8+ CTL can recognize an epitope from the HCV sequence in association with a class I MHC molecule.     

Cross-clade human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-specific cytotoxic T-lymphocyte responses in HIV-infected Zambians.

We have examined cross-clade HIV-specific cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) activity in peripheral blood of eight Zambian individuals infected with non-B-clade human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1). Heteroduplex mobility assay and partial sequence analysis of env and gag genes strongly suggests that all the HIV-infected subjects were infected with clade C HIV-1. Six of eight C-clade HIV-infected individuals elicited CTL activity specific for recombinant vaccinia virus-infected autologous targets expressing HIV gag-pol-env derived from B-clade HIV-1 (IIIB). Recognition of individual recombinant HIV-1 B-clade vaccinia virus-infected targets expressing gag, pol, or env was variable among the patients tested, indicating that cross-clade CTL activity is not limited to a single HIV protein. These data demonstrate that HIV clade C-infected individuals can mount vigorous HIV clade B-reactive CTL responses.     

Antiviral protection by CD8+ versus CD4+ T cells. CD8+ T cells correlating with cytotoxic activity in vitro are more efficient in antivaccinia virus protection than CD4-dependent IL.

T cell-mediated protection against a recombinant vaccinia virus was evaluated in mice with respect to the relative contributions of CTL vs that of T cell-dependent IL and of CD4+ cells. H-2b mice primed with the wildtype of vesicular stomatitis virus serotype Indiana (VSV-IND wt) mount an in vitro measurable cytotoxic response against the nucleoprotein (NP) of VSV-IND and are protected against a challenge infection with a vaccinia-VSV recombinant virus expressing the NP of VSV-IND (vacc-IND-NP). Their protective mechanism was highly susceptible to in vivo depletion of CD8+ T cells, but resistant to CD4+ depletion or treatment with anti-IFN-gamma and anti-TNF-alpha. Surprisingly, also VSV-CTL nonresponder H-2k mice were protected against a challenging infection with vacc-IND-NP when primed with VSV-IND wt. In contrast to the CTL responder H-2b mice, this protection was highly susceptible to CD4+ T cell depletion and to anti-IFN-gamma or anti-TNF-alpha treatment, but resistant to CD8+ T cell depletion. Antibodies were not responsible because they failed to transfer protection; in contrast CD4+ T cells conferred significant protection. VSV-CTL responder H-2b and nonresponder H-2k mice were protected almost equally well against a challenge dose of 10(3) pfu vacc-IND-NP inoculated intracerebrally. However, after intracerebral challenge with 5 x 10(6) pfu vacc-IND-NP, the CTL nonresponder mice died, whereas the CTL responder mice eliminated the virus by day 5. These results collectively show that CD4+ T cell-dependent IL may mediate antiviral protection, but their efficiency is relatively weak compared with CD8-mediated protection correlating with cytotoxic activity in vitro.     

Characterization of mouse hepatitis virus-specific cytotoxic T cells derived from the central nervous system of mice infected with the JHM strain.

The cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) activity of spleen cells from BALB/c (H-2d) mice immunized with the neurotropic JHM strain of mouse hepatitis virus (JHMV) was stimulated in vitro for 7 days. CTL were tested for recognition of target cells infected with either JHMV or vaccinia virus recombinants expressing the four virus structural proteins. Only target cells infected with either JHMV or the vaccinia virus recombinant expressing the JHMV nucleocapsid protein were recognized. Cytotoxic T cell lines were established by limiting dilution from the brains of mice undergoing acute demyelinating encephalomyelitis after infection with JHMV. Twenty of the 22 lines recognized JHMV-infected but not uninfected syngeneic target cells, indicating that they are specific for JHMV. All T-cell lines except one were CD8+. The specificity of the CTL lines was examined by using target cells infected with vaccinia virus recombinants expressing the JHMV nucleocapsid, spike, membrane, and hemagglutinin-esterase structural proteins. Seventeen lines recognized target cells expressing the nucleocapsid protein. Three of the JHMV-specific T-cell lines were unable to recognize target cells expressing any of the JHMV structural proteins, indicating that they are specific for an epitope of a nonstructural protein(s) of JHMV. These data indicate that the nucleocapsid protein induces an immunodominant CTL response. However, no CTL activity specific for the nucleocapsid protein could be detected in either the spleens or cervical lymph nodes of mice 4, 5, 6, or 7 days after intracranial infection, suggesting that the CTL response to JHMV infection within the central nervous system may be induced or expanded locally.