The dual role of IL-2 in the generation and maintenance of CD8+ memory T cells.
The mechanisms responsible for the generation and maintenance of T cell memory are unclear. In this study, we tested the role of IL-2 in allospecific CD8+ T cell memory by analyzing the long-term survival, phenotype, and functional characteristics of IL-2-replete (IL-2+/+) and IL-2-deficient (IL-2-/-) CD8+ TCR-transgenic lymphocytes in an adoptive transfer model. We found that IL-2 is not essential for the in vivo generation, maintenance, or recall response of CD8+ memory T cells. However, IL-2 increased the size of the CD8+ memory pool if present at the time of initial T cell activation but reduced the size of the pool if present during memory maintenance by inhibiting the proliferation of CD8+ memory T cells. Thus, IL-2-based vaccine strategies or immunosuppressive regimens that target IL-2 should take into account the divergent roles of IL-2 in CD8+ T cell immunity.
Dai
Z
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The Carlos and Marguerite Mason Transplantation Research Center, Renal Division, Department of Medicine, Emory University and Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Atlanta, GA 30033, USA.
Konieczny
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BT
Lakkis
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FG
D019264:Adoptive Transfer; D000818:Animals; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology* / Q000637:transplantation; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000276:immunology; D018984:Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte / Q000276:immunology; D007156:Immunologic Memory / Q000276:immunology*; D016130:Immunophenotyping; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000172:deficiency / Q000235:genetics / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000502:physiology*; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000276:immunology*; D018655:Lymphocyte Count; D017710:Lymphocyte Transfusion; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology* / Q000637:transplantation
D018984:Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte; D007376:Interleukin-2