Detection of a high frequency of virus-specific CD4+ T cells during acute infection with lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus

Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV), like many viruses, induces a profound activation and expansion of CD8+ T cells. In contrast, CD4+ T cells do not increase in total number during the acute infection. We show here that mice infected with LCMV have a low but detectable frequency (<1/300) of CD4+ T cells, as detected by IL-2 production in limiting dilution assays, to each of two class II peptides during the peak of the acute LCMV response and into long-term memory. However, during the peak of the acute CD4+ T cell response, >20% of the CD4+ T cells secreted IFN-gamma after stimulation with PMA and ionomycin, and >10% of the CD4+ T cells secreted IFN-gamma after stimulation with the LCMV peptides. Thus, these new sensitive assays reveal a heretofore unappreciated, yet profound Ag-specific CD4+ T cell response during viral infections.