Characterization of a CD44/CD122int Memory CD8 T Cell Subset Generated under Sterile Inflammatory Conditions

• Published in: The Journal of immunology (1950) 2009-03, Vol.182 (6), p.3846-3854
• Main Authors: Mbitikon-Kobo, Florentin-Martial, Vocanson, Marc, Michallet, Marie-Cecile, Tomkowiak, Martine, Cottalorda, Anne, Angelov, Georgi S, Coupet, Charles-Antoine, Djebali, Sophia, Marcais, Antoine, Dubois, Bertrand, Bonnefoy-Berard, Nathalie, Nicolas, Jean-Francois, Arpin, Christophe, Marvel, Jacqueline
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Antigens, CD44; Biological Markers; Biomarkers - metabolism; CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes; CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes - immunology; CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes - metabolism; CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes - transplantation; Cell Differentiation; Cell Differentiation - genetics; Cell Differentiation - immunology; Dermatitis, Contact; Dermatitis, Contact - genetics; Dermatitis, Contact - immunology; Hyaluronan Receptors - biosynthesis; Hyaluronan Receptors - physiology; Immunologic Memory; Immunologic Memory - genetics; Immunology; Inflammation Mediators; Inflammation Mediators - metabolism; Inflammation Mediators - physiology; Interleukin-2 Receptor beta Subunit; Interleukin-2 Receptor beta Subunit - biosynthesis; Interleukin-2 Receptor beta Subunit - physiology; Life Sciences; Lymphocyte Activation; Lymphocyte Activation - genetics; Lymphocyte Activation - immunology; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Mice, Knockout; Mice, Transgenic; T-Lymphocyte Subsets; T-Lymphocyte Subsets - cytology; T-Lymphocyte Subsets - immunology; T-Lymphocyte Subsets - metabolism
• ISSN: 0022-1767; 1550-6606
• DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.0802438

Most memory CD8 T cell subsets that have been hitherto defined are generated in response to infectious pathogens. In this study, we have characterized the CD8 T cells that survive priming conditions, devoid of pathogen-derived danger signals. In both a TCR-transgenic model and a model of contact hypersensitivity, we show that the priming of naive CD8 T cells under sterile inflammatory conditions generates memory. The corresponding memory CD8 T cells can be identified by their intermediate expression levels of CD44 and CD122. We also show that CD44/122(int) memory CD8 T cells spontaneously develop in wild type mice and that they display intermediate levels of several other memory traits including functional (IFN-gamma secretion capacity, CCL5 messenger stores), phenotypic, and molecular (T-bet and eomesodermin expression levels) features. We finally show that they correspond to an early differentiation stage and can further differentiate in CD44/122(high) memory T cells. Altogether, our results identify a new memory CD8 T cell subset that is generated under sterile inflammatory conditions and involved in the recall contact hypersensitivity reactions that are responsible for allergic contact dermatitis.