Trivalent arsenic impairs the effector response of human CD4+ and CD8+ T cells to influenza A virus ex vivo

• Published in: Food and chemical toxicology Vol. 165; p. 113122
• Main Authors: Freeborn, Robert A., Boss, Allison P., Kaiser, Luca M., Gardner, Elizabeth M., Rockwell, Cheryl E.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01.07.2022
• Subjects: IFNγ; PBS; FBS; VEH; GZMB; ATO; PBMC; BKG; IAV
• ISSN: 0278-6915; 1873-6351
• DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2022.113122

Arsenic is a persistent environmental contaminant that humans are exposed to primarily through contaminated water supplies. Arsenic has been shown to have numerous immunomodulatory effects, including deleterious effects on T cell function. However, the effect of arsenic on human T cell function in the context of influenza infection remains poorly characterized. The goal of this study was to determine the effects of arsenic on T cell activation and effector function in a human-relevant ex vivo model with influenza challenge. Flow cytometric analysis of T cells following the treatment of primary human peripheral blood mononuclear cells with environmentally relevant concentrations of arsenic trioxide and subsequent challenge with influenza A virus showed reduced viability, alterations in activation, a reduction in the population of memory cells, and reduced effector function evidenced by decreased IFNγ and granzyme B production. Overall, these studies suggest that arsenic impairs the human T cell response to influenza which corroborates epidemiological findings and could have further implications for antiviral immunity and vaccine efficacy.