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Developing and maintaining protective CD8 + memory T cells
Author(s) -
Williams Matthew A.,
Holmes Brittany J.,
Sun Joseph C.,
Bevan Michael J.
Publication year - 2006
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/j.0105-2896.2006.00389.x
Subject(s) - cd8 , biology , cytotoxic t cell , immunology , memory cell , cd40 , memory t cell , effector , microbiology and biotechnology , antigen , genetics , physics , in vitro , transistor , quantum mechanics , voltage
Summary: A critical aim of vaccine‐related research is to identify the mechanisms by which memory T cells are formed and maintained over long periods of time. In recent years, we have designed experiments aimed at addressing two key questions: (i) what are the factors that maintain functionally responsive CD8 + memory cells over long periods of time, and (ii) what are the signals during the early stages of infection that drive the differentiation of long‐lived CD8 + memory T cells? We have identified a role for CD4 + T cells in the generation of CD8 + T‐cell‐mediated protection from secondary challenge. While CD4 + T cells appear to play a role in the programme of CD8 memory, we find that they are also required for the long‐term maintenance of CD8 + memory T‐cell numbers and function. This property is independent of CD40–CD40L interactions, and we propose a role for CD4 + T cells in maintaining the ability of CD8 + memory T cells to respond to interleukin‐7 (IL‐7) and IL‐15. By manipulating both the time course of infection and the timing of antigen presentation to newly recruited CD8 + T cells, we also demonstrate that the programming of effector and memory potential are at least partially distinct processes.