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Effector-like CD8+ T Cells in the Memory Population Mediate Potent Protective Immunity

2013; Cell Press; Volume: 38; Issue: 6 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1016/j.immuni.2013.05.009

1097-4180

Janelle A. Olson, Cameron McDonald-Hyman, Stephen C. Jameson, Sara E. Hamilton,

Immunotherapy and Immune Responses

Summary The CD8 + memory T cell population is heterogeneous, and it is unclear which subset(s) optimally mediate the central goal of the immune system—protection against infection. Here we investigate the protective capacities of CD8 + T cell subsets present at the memory stage of the immune response. We show that a population of CD8 + T cells bearing markers associated with effector cells (KLRG1 hi , CD27 lo , T-bet hi , Eomes lo ) persisted to the memory phase and provided optimal control of Listeria monocytogenes and vaccinia virus, despite weak recall proliferative responses. After antigen-specific boosting, this population formed the predominant secondary memory subset and maintained superior pathogen control. The effector-like memory subset displayed a distinct pattern of tissue distribution and localization within the spleen, and their enhanced capacity to eliminate Listeria involved specialized utilization of cytolysis. Together, these data suggest that long-lived effector CD8 + T cells are optimal for protective immunity against certain pathogens.