CD4 memory T cells survive and proliferate but fail to differentiate in the absence of CD40

Macleod, M. , Kwakkenbos, M. J., Crawford, A., Brown, S., Stockinger, B., Schepers, K., Schumacher, T. and Gray, D. (2006) CD4 memory T cells survive and proliferate but fail to differentiate in the absence of CD40. Journal of Experimental Medicine, 203(4), pp. 897-906. (doi: 10.1084/jem.20050711) (PMID:16549596) (PMCID:PMC2118277)

Abstract

Secondary T cell responses are enhanced because of an expansion in numbers of antigen-specific (memory) cells. Using major histocompatibility complex class II tetramers we have tracked peptide-specific endogenous (non–T cell receptor transgenic) CD4 memory T cells in normal and in costimulation-deficient mice. CD4 memory T cells were detectable after immunization for more than 200 days, although decay was apparent. Memory cells generated in CD40 knockout mice by immunization with peptide-pulsed wild-type dendritic cells survived in the absence of CD40 and proliferated when boosted with peptide (plus adjuvant) in a CD40-independent fashion. However, differentiation of the memory cells into cytokine-producing effector cells did not occur in the absence of CD40. The data indicate that memory cells can be generated without passing through the effector cell stage.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Macleod, Dr Megan
• Authors: Macleod, M., Kwakkenbos, M. J., Crawford, A., Brown, S., Stockinger, B., Schepers, K., Schumacher, T., and Gray, D.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Infection & Immunity
• Journal Name: Journal of Experimental Medicine
• ISSN: 0022-1007
• ISSN (Online): 1540-9538