Host immune response to reovirus: CTL recognize the major neutralization domain of the viral hemagglutinin.

Previous studies have demonstrated the importance of the hemagglutinin (HA) of reovirus in determining virus-specific immune responses. In this study, we have used anti-HA monoclonal antibodies and reoviruses with antigenically altered HA proteins to further analyze the CTL response against the HA. We showed that reovirus-specific CTL primarily recognize one distinct antigenic domain on the HA. These results emphasize the fine specificity of the T cell receptor that recognizes viral determinants. The CTL response is directed against the region of the HA that is also responsible for neurotropism and binding to neutralizing antibody.