METHODS FOR SCREENING FOR AGENTS CAPABLE OF MODULATING T LYMPHOCYTE FUNCTION IN RESPONSE TO A HERPES SIMPLEX VIRUS-INFECTED CELL

摘要

Disclosed are methods for sreening an agent for activity in modulating a T lymphocyte. The methods generally comprises contacting a HSV Us3-expressin cell with a T lymphocyte in the presence or absence of the agent and monitoring a physiological change associated with CTL function to determine whether the agent modulates CTL activity. In particular, the HSV Us3-expressing cell line can be a HSV-infected fibrolast and the physiological change associated with CTL function is a recduction or inhibition of the phosphorylation of HSP90 and/or a 50 kD CTL protein. Also disclosed are methods for blocking suppression of CTL activity against HSV-infected target cells, as well as methods for suppressing CTL activity against a target antigen.