West Nile Virus Subverts T Cell Stimulatory Capacity of Human Dendritic Cells

Abstract

West Nile virus (WNV) is a neurotropic flavivirus and the leading cause of mosquito-borne encephalitis in the United States. Recent studies in humans have found that dysfunctional T cell responses strongly correlate with development of severe WNV neuroinvasive disease. However, the contributions of human dendritic cells (DCs) in priming WNV-specific T cell immunity remains poorly understood. Here, we demonstrate that human monocyte-derived DCs (moDCs) support productive viral replication following infection with a pathogenic strain of WNV. Antiviral effector gene transcription was strongly induced during the log-phase viral growth, while secretion of type I interferons (IFN) occurred with delayed kinetics. Activation of RIG-I like receptor (RLR) or type I IFN signaling prior to log-phase viral growth significantly diminished viral replication, suggesting that activation of antiviral programs early can block WNV infection. In contrast to the induction of antiviral responses, WNV infection did not promote transcription or secretion of pro-inflammatory (IL-6, GM-CSF, CCL3, CCL5, CXCL9) or T cell modulatory cytokines (IL-4, IL-12, IL-15). There was also minimal induction of molecules associated with antigen presentation and T cell priming, including the co-stimulatory molecules CD80, CD86, and CD40. Functionally, WNV-infected moDCs dampened allogenic CD4 and CD8 T cell activation and proliferation. Combined, we propose a model where WNV subverts human DC activation to compromise priming of WNV-specific T cell immunity.\n\nImportanceWest Nile virus (WNV) is an encephalitic flavivirus that remains endemic in the United States. Previous studies have found dysfunctional T cell responses correlate to severe disease outcomes during human WNV infection. Here, we sought to better understand the ability of WNV to program human dendritic cells (DCs) to prime WNV-specific T cell responses. While productive infection of monocyte-derived DCs activated antiviral and type I interferon responses, molecules associated with inflammation and programming of T cells were minimally induced. Functionally, WNV-infected DCs dampened T cell activation and proliferation during an allogeneic response. Combined, our data supports a model where WNV infection of human DCs compromises WNV-specific T cell immunity.