Linear differentiation of cytotoxic effectors into memory T lymphocytes

JT Opferman, BT Ober, PG Ashton-Rickardt - Science, 1999 - science.org
Science, 1999science.org
A central question in immunology is the origin of long-lived T cell memory that confers
protection against recurrent infection. The differentiation of naı̈ve T cell receptor transgenic
CD8+ cells into effector cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) and memory CD8+ cells was
studied. Memory CD8+ cells that were generated after strong antigenic stimulation were the
progeny of cytotoxic effectors and retained antigen-specific cytolytic activity 10 weeks after
adoptive transfer to antigen-free recipient mice. Thus, potential vaccines based on CTL …
A central question in immunology is the origin of long-lived T cell memory that confers protection against recurrent infection. The differentiation of naı̈ve T cell receptor transgenic CD8+ cells into effector cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) and memory CD8+ cells was studied. Memory CD8+cells that were generated after strong antigenic stimulation were the progeny of cytotoxic effectors and retained antigen-specific cytolytic activity 10 weeks after adoptive transfer to antigen-free recipient mice. Thus, potential vaccines based on CTL memory will require the differentiation of naı̈ve cells into post-effector memory T cells.
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