VSV G protein induces murine cytolytic T lymphocytes.

Mice immunized with vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV), with its glycoprotein (G) in lipid vesicles or with a truncated, soluble form of G called Gs, developed an expanded population of virus specific cytolytic T lymphocyte (CTL) precursors and also led to the production of neutralizing serum antibody. The CTL precursors could be restimulated in vitro with either the virus or its glycoprotein components. Thus the glycoprotein of VSV, either associated with lipids or in soluble form, induced both cellular and humoral immune responses that might be sufficient to result in protective immunity.