title: Memory T Cells in Transplantation.
abstract: Following infections and environmental exposures, memory T cells are generated that provide long-term protective immunity. Compared to their naïve T cell counterparts, memory T cells possess unique characteristics that endow them with the ability to quickly and robustly respond to foreign antigens. While such memory T cells are beneficial in protecting their hosts from recurrent infection, memory cells reactive to donor antigens pose a major barrier to successful transplantation and tolerance induction. Significant progress has been made over the past several decades contributing to our understanding of memory T cell generation, their distinct biology, and their detrimental impact in clinical and animal models of transplantation. This review focuses on the unique features which make memory T cells relevant to the transplant community and discusses potential therapies targeting memory T cells which may ameliorate allograft rejection.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH 44106 ; Glickman Urological and Kidney Institute and Department of Immunology, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, OH 44195.
authors.forename: Charles A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Su
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, OH 44106 ; Glickman Urological and Kidney Institute and Department of Immunology, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, OH 44195.
authors.forename: Robert L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Fairchild
keywords: animal models; heterologous immunity; homeostatic proliferation; memory T cells; transplant tolerance; transplantation