LYMPHOCYTE RESPONSE IN DENGUE VIRUS INFECTION IN THE MOUSE

Abstract

A rapid, sensitive and non-radioactive tetrazolium (MTT) colorimetric assay was studied for the determination of murine lymphocyte proliferation induced by dengue virus antigens. The MTT assay was compared with the conventional [3H] thymidine incorporation assay. The results showed a close linear relationship between the two methods in measuring lymphocyte proliferation. Studies on murine lymphocyte responses to dengue virus and recombinant proteins showed that recombinant envelope E protein, non-structural protein NS1, and nonstructural protein NS3 were recognized by lymphocytes from mice immunized previously with live dengue virus. Preliminary investigation on the response of gamma/delta lymphocytes during dengue virus infection showed increased number of gamma/delta lymphocytes from lymphoid organs of mice infected with live dengue virus when compared with that from mock-infected and unimmunized normal mice.