Persistence and Function of Central and Effector Memory CD4 super(+) T Cells following Infection with a Gastrointestinal Helminth

• Published in: Journal of Immunology 2006-07, Vol.177 (1), p.511-518
• Main Authors: Zaph, Colby, Rook, Kathryn A, Goldschmidt, Michael, Mohrs, Markus, Scott, Phillip, Artis, David
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0022-1767; 1365-2567

Immunity in the gastrointestinal tract is important for resistance to many pathogens, but the memory T cells that mediate such immunity are poorly characterized. In this study, we show that following sterile cure of a primary infection with the gastrointestinal parasite Trichuris muris, memory CD4 super(+) T cells persist in the draining mesenteric lymph node and protect mice against reinfection. The memory CD4 super(+) T cells that developed were a heterogeneous population, consisting of both CD62L super(high) central memory T cells (T sub(CM)) and CD62L super(low) effector memory T cells (T sub(EM)) that were competent to produce the Th type 2 effector cytokine, IL-4. Unlike memory T cells that develop following exposure to several other pathogens, both CD4 super(+) T sub(CM) and T sub(EM) populations persisted in the absence of chronic infection, and, critically, both populations were able to transfer protective immunity to naive recipients. CD62L super(high)CD4 super(+) T sub(CM) were not apparent early after infection, but emerged following clearance of primary infection, suggesting that they may be derived from CD4 super(+) T sub(EM). Consistent with this theory, transfer of CD62L super(low)CD4 super(+) T sub(EM) into naive recipients resulted in the development of a population of protective CD62L super(high)CD4 super(+) T sub(CM). Taken together, these studies show that distinct subsets of memory CD4 super(+) T cells develop after infection with Trichuris, persist in the GALT, and mediate protective immunity to rechallenge.