Description
CD8 T cells play roles in eliminating virus infected targets through cytotoxic effector function and are of great interest from vaccination prespective. Previous studies suggest that the cytokines produced by the CD8 T cells may contribute to the pathological consequences. Because the dengue specific memory T cells strongly secrete cytokines upon in vitro stimulation with heterologous viral antigen, the cytokine storm induced by activated T cells may contribute to the immunopathology of dengue infection. Moreover, the CD8 T cell expansion peaks before or around the time of the peak of clinical symptoms, and the frequency of activated CD8 T cells and cytokine producing cells was somewhat higher in patients with severe forms of dengue disease.