Cutting edge: CD4 and CD8 T cells are intrinsically different in their proliferative responses.
In this study, we compared the proliferation and differentiation of Ag-specific CD4 and CD8 T cells following Listeria infection. Our results show that CD4 T cells responding to infection divide a limited number of times, with progeny exhibiting proliferative arrest in early divisions. Even with increased infectious doses, CD4 T cells display this restricted proliferative pattern and are not driven to undergo extensive clonal expansion. This is in striking contrast to CD8 T cells, which undergo extensive proliferation in response to infection. These differences are also evident when CD4 and CD8 T cells receive uniform anti-CD3 stimulation in vitro. Together, these results suggest that CD4 and CD8 T cells are programmed to undergo limited and extensive proliferation, respectively, to suit their function as regulator and effector cells.
Foulds
Kathryn E
KE
Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
Zenewicz
Lauren A
LA
Shedlock
Devon J
DJ
Jiang
Jiu
J
Troy
Amy E
AE
Shen
Hao
H
D019264:Adoptive Transfer; D000818:Animals; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D007700:Kinetics; D008088:Listeriosis / Q000276:immunology*; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D010047:Ovalbumin / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000276:immunology; D013154:Spleen / Q000276:immunology
D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D010047:Ovalbumin