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To tackle the complexity of cross-reactive and pathogen-specific T cell responses against related Salmonella serovars, we used mass cytometry, unbiased single-cell cloning, live fluorescence barcoding, and T cell-receptor sequencing to reconstruct the Salmonella-specific repertoire of circulating effector CD4+ T cells, isolated from volunteers challenged with Salmonella enterica serovar Typhi (S. Typhi) or Salmonella Paratyphi A (S. Paratyphi). We describe the expansion of cross-reactive responses against distantly related Salmonella serovars and of clonotypes recognizing immunodominant antigens uniquely expressed by S. Typhi or S. Paratyphi A. In addition, single-amino acid variations in two immunodominant proteins, CdtB and PhoN, lead to the accumulation of T cells that do not cross-react against the different serovars, thus demonstrating how minor sequence variations in a complex microorganism shape the pathogen-specific T cell repertoire. Our results identify immune-dominant, serovar-specific, and cross-reactive T cell antigens, which should aid in the design of T cell-vaccination strategies against Salmonella.

Original publication

DOI

10.1038/s41590-018-0133-z

Type

Journal article

Journal

Nat Immunol

Publication Date

07/2018

Volume

19

Pages

742 - 754

Keywords

ADP-ribosyl Cyclase 1, Adult, Antigens, Bacterial, CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes, Clone Cells, Humans, Phenotype, Receptors, CCR7, Salmonella paratyphi A, Salmonella typhi, Typhoid Fever