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Regulators of T‐cell fate: Integration of cell migration, differentiation and function
Author(s) -
Groom Joanna R.
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
immunological reviews
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 6.839
H-Index - 223
eISSN - 1600-065X
pISSN - 0105-2896
DOI - 10.1111/imr.12742
Subject(s) - biology , function (biology) , cellular differentiation , cell function , cell fate determination , microbiology and biotechnology , cell , genetics , transcription factor , gene
Summary A fundamental question in immunology is how cells decide between distinct T helper, effector or memory differentiation fates. These decisions are paramount to overcome infection and establish long‐lasting protection. The impact of cell location for the determination of T‐cell fate decisions is an emerging field. This review will discuss our current understanding of the migration path that T cells follow, within draining lymph nodes, to steer differentiation down distinct paths of either effector or memory fates. In particular, the regulation of migration and cellular encounters mediated by the chemokine receptor CXCR 3 and its ligands will be discussed. The combination of increased antigen density and unique cellular partners play a central role in facilitating the site‐specific differentiation of effector T cells, within the interfollicular regions of draining lymph nodes. Recent advances have applied this knowledge to optimize vaccine design to target antigen to lymph nodes. Increased understanding of the regulation of CXCR 3 ligands and how T cells integrate multiple chemokine cues will help further progress in this field and allow additional applications to direct cell differentiation outside the lymph node, to enhance memory residency in peripheral tissues and effector anti‐tumor responses.