TY - JOUR
T1 - Derivation and maintenance of virtual memory CD8 T cells
AU - Akue, Adovi D.
AU - Lee, June Yong
AU - Jameson, Stephen C.
PY - 2012/3/15
Y1 - 2012/3/15
N2 - Memory CD8 + T cells are an important component of the adaptive immune response against many infections, and understanding how Ag-specific memory CD8 + T cells are generated and maintained is crucial for the development of vaccines. We recently reported the existence of memory-phenotype, Ag-specific CD8 + T cells in unimmunized mice (virtual memory or VM cells). However, it was not clear when and where these cells are generated during normal development, nor the factors required for their production and maintenance. This issue is especially pertinent given recent data showing that memory-like CD8 T cells can be generated in the thymus, in a bystander response to IL-4. In this study, we show that the size of the VM population is reduced in IL-4R-deficient animals. However, the VM population appears first in the periphery and not the thymus of normal animals, suggesting this role of IL-4 is manifest following thymic egress. We also show that the VM pool is durable, showing basal proliferation and long-term maintenance in normal animals, and also being retained during responses to unrelated infection.
AB - Memory CD8 + T cells are an important component of the adaptive immune response against many infections, and understanding how Ag-specific memory CD8 + T cells are generated and maintained is crucial for the development of vaccines. We recently reported the existence of memory-phenotype, Ag-specific CD8 + T cells in unimmunized mice (virtual memory or VM cells). However, it was not clear when and where these cells are generated during normal development, nor the factors required for their production and maintenance. This issue is especially pertinent given recent data showing that memory-like CD8 T cells can be generated in the thymus, in a bystander response to IL-4. In this study, we show that the size of the VM population is reduced in IL-4R-deficient animals. However, the VM population appears first in the periphery and not the thymus of normal animals, suggesting this role of IL-4 is manifest following thymic egress. We also show that the VM pool is durable, showing basal proliferation and long-term maintenance in normal animals, and also being retained during responses to unrelated infection.
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U2 - 10.4049/jimmunol.1102213
DO - 10.4049/jimmunol.1102213
M3 - Article
C2 - 22308307
AN - SCOPUS:84863229325
SN - 0022-1767
VL - 188
SP - 2516
EP - 2523
JO - Journal of Immunology
JF - Journal of Immunology
IS - 6
ER -