T cell-derived lymphotoxin limits Th1 response during HSV-1 infection

Though lymphotoxin (LT) is highly expressed by type I helper T (Th1) cells, its contribution to CD4(+)T cell differentiation during infections and diseases remains a mystery. In HSV-1 infection, we observed that LT beta R signaling is required to limit the Th1 response. Using bone marrow chimeric mice, mixedT-cell chimeric mice, and LT beta R in vivo blockades, we unexpectedly observed that LT, especially T cell-derived LT, played an indispensable role in limiting the Th1 response. The LT beta R-Ig blockade promoted the Th1 response by increasing infiltration of monocytes and monocyte-derived DCs and up-regulating IL-12 secretion in the lymphoid environment. Our findings identified a novel role for T cell-derived LT in manipulating Th1 differentiation.