Vaccinia Virus Inhibits T Cell Receptor–Dependent Responses by Human γδ T Cells (original) (raw)

Vaccinia virus (VV), a member of the poxvirus family, has been used successfully as a vaccine to eradicate human smallpox [1]. With DNA replication occurring exclusively in the cytosol and the ability to induce both cellular and humoral immunity, VV has also been championed as a live recombinant vaccine vector that promotes immunity against tumors and infectious diseases . Although VV can induce strong humoral and cellular immune responses to viral and recombinant antigens, it is also known that poxviruses employ many mechanisms to evade host immunity. VV gene products block complement, cytokines, and chemokines; they also prevent apoptosis and interfere with intracellular signaling . VV modulates the function of NK cells , inhibits the maturation of human dendritic cells , and disrupts major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I or II-mediated antigen presentation . The effects that VV has on another important cell type, gd T cells, is poorly understood.