Generation of CD8 T cell memory is regulated by IL-12.
Various signals during infection influence CD8 T cell memory generation, but these factors have yet to be fully defined. IL-12 is a proinflammatory cytokine that has been shown to enhance IFN-gamma-producing T cell responses and has been widely tested as a vaccine adjuvant. In this study, we show that IL-12-deficient mice generate a weaker primary CD8 T cell response and are more susceptible to Listeria monocytogenes infection, but have substantially more memory CD8 T cells and greater protective immunity against reinfection. Kinetic analyses show that in the absence of IL-12 there is a reduced contraction of Ag-specific CD8 T cells and a gradual increase in memory CD8 T cells as a result of increased homeostatic renewal. By signaling directly through its receptor on CD8 T cells, IL-12 influences their differentiation to favor the generation of fully activated effectors, but hinders the formation of CD8 T cell memory precursors and differentiation of long-term CD8 T cell memory(.) These results have implications for understanding memory T cell development and enhancing vaccine efficacy, and offer new insight into the role of IL-12 in coordinating the innate and adaptive immune response.
Pearce
Erika L
EL
Department of Microbiology, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
Shen
Hao
H
D000818:Animals; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial / Q000276:immunology; D001428:Bacterial Vaccines / Q000276:immunology; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D007113:Immunity, Innate / Q000235:genetics; D007156:Immunologic Memory / Q000235:genetics; D007249:Inflammation / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000276:immunology; D018664:Interleukin-12 / Q000172:deficiency / Q000276:immunology*; D008089:Listeria monocytogenes / Q000276:immunology; D008088:Listeriosis / Q000276:immunology; D051379:Mice; D018345:Mice, Knockout
D000942:Antigens, Bacterial; D001428:Bacterial Vaccines; D018664:Interleukin-12; D007371:Interferon-gamma