title: Molecular and cellular insights into T cell exhaustion.
abstract: In chronic infections and cancer, T cells are exposed to persistent antigen and/or inflammatory signals. This scenario is often associated with the deterioration of T cell function: a state called 'exhaustion'. Exhausted T cells lose robust effector functions, express multiple inhibitory receptors and are defined by an altered transcriptional programme. T cell exhaustion is often associated with inefficient control of persisting infections and tumours, but revitalization of exhausted T cells can reinvigorate immunity. Here, we review recent advances that provide a clearer molecular understanding of T cell exhaustion and reveal new therapeutic targets for persisting infections and cancer.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology and Institute for Immunology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA.
authors.forename: E John
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Wherry
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology and Institute for Immunology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, USA.
authors.forename: Makoto
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kurachi
mesh_terms: D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000276:immunology* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D018959:CD57 Antigens / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D017635:Clonal Anergy; D016207:Cytokines / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006801:Humans; D007156:Immunologic Memory; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D015398:Signal Transduction; D013602:T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D014158:Transcription, Genetic; D014777:Virus Diseases / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology
chemical_list: D018959:CD57 Antigens; D016207:Cytokines