title: Memory CD8 T cell transcriptional plasticity.
abstract: Memory CD8 T cells generated after acute viral infections or live vaccines can persist for extended periods, in some instances for life, and play an important role in protective immunity. This long-lived immunity is achieved in part through cytokine-mediated homeostatic proliferation of memory T cells while maintaining the acquired capacity for rapid recall of effector cytokines and cytolytic molecules. The ability of memory CD8 T cells to retain their acquired properties, including their ability to remain poised to recall effector functions, is a truly impressive feat given that these acquired properties can be maintained for decades without exposure to cognate antigen. Here, we discuss general mechanisms for acquisition and maintenance of transcriptional programs in memory CD8 T cells and the potential role of epigenetic programming in maintaining the phenotypic and functional heterogeneity of cellular subsets among the pool of memory cells.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Emory University 1510 Clifton Road, Atlanta, GA 30322 USA ; Department of Immunology, St Jude Children's Research Hospital 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105-3678 USA.
authors.forename: Ben
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Youngblood
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Emory University 1510 Clifton Road, Atlanta, GA 30322 USA ; Emory Vaccine Center, Emory University School of Medicine Atlanta, GA 30329.
authors.forename: J Scott
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Hale
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Emory University 1510 Clifton Road, Atlanta, GA 30322 USA ; Emory Vaccine Center, Emory University School of Medicine Atlanta, GA 30329.
authors.forename: Rafi
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ahmed