Turnover of memory-phenotype CD8+ T cells.
Memory-phenotype (CD44(hi)) T cells are presumed to represent the long-lived progeny of T cells responding to various environmental antigens. For CD8+ T cells, the background rate of proliferation (turnover) of memory-phenotype cells is increased following exposure to infectious agents. This increase in turnover is controlled by interferons (IFN-I and IFN-gamma) and is mediated by IL-15. Unlike IFNs, IL-15 is directly stimulatory for CD44(hi) CD8+ cells. In addition to controlling proliferation of these cells, IL-15 may also play a vital role in keeping CD44(hi) CD8+ cells alive.
Sprent
Jonathan
J
Department of Immunology, IMM4, The Scripps Research Institute, 10550 N. Torrey Pine Road, La Jolla, CA 92037, USA. jsprent@scripps.edu
D000818:Animals; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007156:Immunologic Memory; D007372:Interferons / Q000494:pharmacology; D019409:Interleukin-15 / Q000494:pharmacology; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000187:drug effects*; D051379:Mice; D010641:Phenotype; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000276:immunology*
D019409:Interleukin-15; D007372:Interferons