Influenza A virus-infection differentially affects conventional and regulatory T cell repertoire

To investigate the impact of Influenza A virus (IAV) infection on thymic development of mouse regulatory T cells (Tregs) and conventional T cells (Tconv), the TCR repertoire of thymic Tregs and Tconv of IAV-infected and control mice was analyzed. Overall design: Foxp3hCD2RAGGFP double reporter mice were infected with 666 ffu IAV PR8. A control group of mice received PBS. Thymi were collected at 10 days post infection (dpi). CD4+RAGGFP+CD25+Foxp3hCD2+, CD4+RAGGFP+CD25-Foxp3hCD2-, CD4+RAGGFP-CD25+Foxp3hCD2+, or CD4+RAGGFP-CD25-Foxp3hCD2- cells were sorted from CD8-depleted thymocytes. RNA was isolated from these cells and was analyzed by 5´RACE and PCR amplification followed by illumina-sequencing of Tcrb transcripts. A total of 8 mice received IAV while 5 mice were treated with PBS.