CD4(+) T helper cells use CD154–CD40 interactions to counteract T reg cell–mediated suppression of CD8(+) T cell responses to influenza

CD4(+) T cells promote CD8(+) T cell priming by licensing dendritic cells (DCs) via CD40–CD154 interactions. However, the initial requirement for CD40 signaling may be replaced by the direct activation of DCs by pathogen-derived signals. Nevertheless, CD40–CD154 interactions are often required for optimal CD8(+) T cell responses to pathogens for unknown reasons. Here we show that CD40 signaling is required to prevent the premature contraction of the influenza-specific CD8(+) T cell response. CD40 is required on DCs but not on B cells or T cells, whereas CD154 is required on CD4(+) T cells but not CD8(+) T cells, NKT cells, or DCs. Paradoxically, even though CD154-expressing CD4(+) T cells are required for robust CD8(+) T cell responses, primary CD8(+) T cell responses are apparently normal in the absence of CD4(+) T cells. We resolved this paradox by showing that the interaction of CD40-bearing DCs with CD154-expressing CD4(+) T cells precludes regulatory T cell (T reg cell)–mediated suppression and prevents premature contraction of the influenza-specific CD8(+) T cell response. Thus, CD4(+) T helper cells are not required for robust CD8(+) T cell responses to influenza when T reg cells are absent.