The role of epigenetics in the acquisition and maintenance of effector function in virus-specific CD8 T cells.
CD8(+) T cells are critical for protecting the body from infectious disease. To achieve this protection, CD8(+) T cells must undergo a highly involved process of differentiation that involves the activation of naïve/quiescent cells followed by robust rounds of cell division and the acquisition of effector functions that mediate viral clearance. After the pathogen is eliminated, a small number of these cells survive into long-lived memory and maintain the capacity to respond rapidly and reacquire effector function after secondary exposure to their cognate antigen. This review focuses on how CD8(+) T cells acquire and regulate effector functions and how the capacity to produce effector molecules is maintained into memory.
Olson
Matthew R
MR
Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia. mrolson@unimelb.edu.au
Russ
Brendan E
BE
Doherty
Peter C
PC
Turner
Stephen J
SJ
D000818:Animals; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology* / Q000821:virology; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002455:Cell Division; D016207:Cytokines / Q000096:biosynthesis; D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic / Q000502:physiology*; D053804:Granzymes / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D009980:Influenza A virus / Q000276:immunology; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000096:biosynthesis; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000276:immunology; D051379:Mice; D009976:Orthomyxoviridae Infections / Q000276:immunology; D054353:Perforin / Q000502:physiology; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / Q000276:immunology; D014777:Virus Diseases / Q000276:immunology*
D016207:Cytokines; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell; D054353:Perforin; D007371:Interferon-gamma; D053804:Granzymes