title: The role of precursor frequency in the differentiation of memory T cells: memory by numbers.
abstract: Immunological memory is considered the hallmark of adaptive, or acquired, immunity. That ability of our immune system to recognize and respond to those pathogens we have encountered before not only typifies acquired immunity but has provided the basis for the most notable of medical interventions: vaccination. Yet, as much as we now know about this process, we are still on the cusp of fully understanding how memory T cells develop, how they are maintained and the importance of memory T-cell heterogeneity. In this review we will primarily focus on our understanding of CD8 T-cell memory generated during acute infections and how precursor frequency influences their development and functional attributes.
authors.affiliation: Rush University Medical Center, Department of Immunology and Microbiology, 1735 W Harrison Street, Cohn Building Chicago, Illinois 60612, USA. amanda_marzo@rush.edu
authors.forename: Amanda L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Marzo
authors.forename: Ryan T
authors.initials: RT
authors.lastname: Sowell
authors.forename: Bernadette
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Scott
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D006801:Humans; D007156:Immunologic Memory / Q000276:immunology*; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000276:immunology; D018655:Lymphocyte Count; D038041:Lymphopoiesis; D054504:Precursor Cells, T-Lymphoid / Q000502:physiology*; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000276:immunology* / Q000502:physiology*; D019076:Transgenes
chemical_list: D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell