The effector to memory transition of CD4 T cells.
The small number of antigen-specific memory CD4 T cells surviving long-term after antigen or pathogen challenge are often characterized by a surprising degree of phenotypic and functional heterogeneity. We here propose that the immune system has evolved to express this diversity in memory T-cell populations, in order to provide flexibility in recall responses, via a rapid transition from heterogeneous effector cells into correspondingly heterogeneous memory cells. Little attention has been paid to another important transition-from resting memory cell to re-activated effector. We would suggest that superior functional attributes of secondary effectors arising from memory CD4 T cells, as compared to primary effectors arising from naïve precursors, play an important and underappreciated role in protective secondary immune responses.
McKinstry
K Kai
KK
Trudeau Institute, 154 Algonquin Ave, Saranac Lake, NY 12983, USA. kmckinstry@trudeauinstitute.org
Strutt
Tara M
TM
Swain
Susan L
SL
D019264:Adoptive Transfer; D000818:Animals; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000276:immunology; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology* / Q000276:immunology*; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000276:immunology; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000276:immunology; D016207:Cytokines / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007156:Immunologic Memory / Q000276:immunology*; D016130:Immunophenotyping; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008211:Lymphocyte Cooperation / Q000276:immunology; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D016201:Receptors, Lymphocyte Homing / Q000276:immunology; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology*
D015703:Antigens, CD; D016207:Cytokines; D016201:Receptors, Lymphocyte Homing