Induction of Measles Virus-Specific Human Cytotoxic T Cells by Purified Measles Virus Nucleocapsid and Hemagglutinin Polypeptides

The measles virus polypeptide specificity of human measles virus-specific, HLA class II restricted cytotoxic T cells have been examined. Measles virus-specific CTL have been generated using purified measles virus nucleocapsid and hemagglutinin polypeptides during a primary, in vitro stimulation of bulk cultures. Both the purified preparations of measles virus nucleocapsid and hemagglutinin polypeptides were effective in stimulating a measles virus-specific CTL response. The measles virus nucleocapsid-induced CTL response could be blocked by an anti-HLA class II monoclonal antibody but not an anti-HLA class I antiserum. Moreover, considerably less measles virus nucleocapsid was required to stimulate a comparable CTL response than the measles virus hemagglutinin which suggests that the CTL response to measles virus may be skewed towards internal viral determinants of measles virus. These studies indicate that both internal and external components of measles virus are effective in inducing measles virus-specific CTL. The recognition of internal viral components may represent an important part of the T cell mediated immune response to viruses.