Rapid effector function of varicella-zoster virus glycoprotein I-specific CD4+ T cells many decades after primary infection.

Glycoprotein I (gI) of varicella-zoster virus (VZV) contributes to viral virulence and is therefore a potentially important target for T cell control of viral replication. Persisting effector function of gI-specific T cells after primary infection has not been previously examined. We have shown that, many decades after infection, relatively high frequencies gI-specific interferon- gamma responses are detectable ex vivo and are dominated by CD4(+) T cells. We characterized the optimal peptide of the strongest response in our cohort showing restriction through DRB4*01. These findings are consistent with gI-specific CD4(+) T cell involvement in the control of VZV replication.