Immunomodulatory roles of STAT1 in innate and adaptive immunity in type I interferon-mediated lethal virus infection

We previously showed that LCMV-infected STAT1 KO mice have extensive immunopathology in peripheral organs, including a large number of infiltrating leukocytes and necrotic foci [Hofer et al. 2012]. To determine the contribution of adaptive immune cells in leukocyte expansion and infiltration, we performed high dimensional flow cytometry on splenocytes and liver leukocytes of mock- or LCMV-infected WT, STAT1 KO, RAG1 KO, and STAT1/RAG1 DKO mice.
Conclusion:
These findings indicate that while innate immunity was sufficient to promote gross leukocyte infiltration into the infected organs of LCMV-infected STAT1 KO mice, adaptive immunity was responsible for the excessive number of infiltrating neutrophils.