Differential microenvironment localization of effector and memory CD8 T cells.
CD8 T cells are critical for the clearance of intracellular pathogens. Upon infection, naive CD8 T cells differentiate into effector cells that target and eliminate infected cells. Following clearance of the pathogen, most effector cells die, although a small fraction survives to establish a memory population. Subsequent exposure to the same pathogen induces a rapid response of memory T cells and efficient elimination of the pathogen. Although much is known about the CD8 T cell response, the precise microenvironment location of effector and memory CD8 T cells in secondary lymphoid organs is not well characterized. In this study, we present an in situ analysis of the localization of effector and memory CD8 T cells during the murine immune response to lymphocytic choriomenginits virus. We identified the location of these cells using a transgenic mouse model system in which CD8 T cells are irreversibly tagged with yellow fluorescent protein (YFP) after activation. After infection, YFP+ CD8 T cells were initially observed within T cell zones. Later, these cells were found in the red pulp and a disruption of all CD8 T cell zones was observed. After resolution of the immune response, YFP+ memory CD8 T cells were observed primarily in T cells zones. Thus, in the spleens of mice, effector CD8 T cells localize to the red pulp and memory CD8 T cells localize to the T cell zones. Upon rechallenge, memory CD8 T cells rapidly proliferate and the secondary effector CD8 T cells are found in the red pulp.
Dauner
Joseph G
JG
Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Emory Vaccine Center, Yerkes National Primate Center, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30329, USA.
Williams
Ifor R
IR
Jacob
Joshy
J
D000818:Animals; D000956:Antigens, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D001117:Arenaviridae Infections / Q000276:immunology*; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D002465:Cell Movement; D007156:Immunologic Memory; D008164:Luminescent Proteins / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D008217:Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus; D051379:Mice; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains
D000956:Antigens, Viral; D008164:Luminescent Proteins