CD4 memory T cells divide poorly in response to antigen because of their cytokine profile

Macleod, M. K. L. , McKee, A., Crawford, F., White, J., Kappler, J. and Marrack, P. (2008) CD4 memory T cells divide poorly in response to antigen because of their cytokine profile. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 105(38), pp. 14521-14526. (doi: 10.1073/pnas.0807449105) (PMID:18787120) (PMCID:PMC2533680)

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Abstract

Immunological memory is a hallmark of adaptive immunity, and understanding T cell memory will be central to the development of effective cell-mediated vaccines. The characteristics and functions of CD4 memory cells have not been well defined. Here we demonstrate that the increased size of the secondary response is solely a consequence of the increased antigen-specific precursor frequency within the memory pool. Memory cells proliferated less than primary responding cells, even within the same host. By analyzing the entry of primary and memory cells into the cell cycle, we found that the two populations proliferated similarly until day 5; after this time, fewer of the reactivated memory cells proliferated. At this time, fewer of the reactivated memory cells made IL-2 than primary responding cells, but more made IFNγ. Both these factors affected the low proliferation of the memory cells, because either exogenous IL-2 or inhibition of IFNγ increased the proliferation of the memory cells.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Macleod, Dr Megan
Authors: Macleod, M. K. L., McKee, A., Crawford, F., White, J., Kappler, J., and Marrack, P.
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Infection & Immunity
Journal Name:Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
Publisher:National Academy of Sciences
ISSN:0027-8424
ISSN (Online):1091-6490
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2008 The National Academy of Sciences of the USA
First Published:First published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America 105(38):14521-14526
Publisher Policy:Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher.

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