Target cells of cytotoxic T lymphocytes directed to the individual structural proteins of rabies virus.

Target cells of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) directed to the individual structural proteins (except for the large polymerase (L) protein) of rabies virus were established by expressing only the respective protein in murine neuroblastoma (NA) and murine macrophage (J774-1) cell lines. Mice infected with the ERA strain of rabies virus developed CTL responses to all of these rabies virus proteins. The cytotoxic activity was abrogated by pretreatment of the effector cells with anti-CD8 monoclonal antibody (MAb) and complement but not with anti-CD4 MAb. Cell lysis by CTL was blocked in the presence of anti-major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class 1 antibodies in J774-1 cell lines. Rabies virus-infected cells express these proteins at the surface, which can be recognized and lysed by the respective CTL. Mice immunized with beta-propiolactone-inactivated virus induced a CTL response against glycoprotein but not against internal viral components. This assay system might be useful for further analysis of the possible contribution of these proteins in the cell-mediated immune protection against rabies.