Cutting Edge: Naive T Cells Masquerading as Memory Cells

This study shows that naive CD8 T cells can acquire characteristics of memory T cells in the absence of stimulation with specific Ag simply by the process of homeostatic proliferation under lymphopenic conditions. This Ag-independent T cell differentiation pathway did not result in up-regulation of...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The Journal of immunology (1950) 2000-08, Vol.165 (4), p.1733-1737
Main Authors: Murali-Krishna, Kaja, Ahmed, Rafi
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
AIDS/HIV
Animals
Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte - biosynthesis
Antigens, Viral - immunology
CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes - immunology
CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes - virology
Cell Cycle - genetics
Cell Cycle - immunology
Cell Separation
Flow Cytometry
Fluoresceins - metabolism
Fluorescent Dyes - metabolism
Homeostasis - genetics
Homeostasis - immunology
Immunologic Memory - genetics
Interphase - immunology
Lymphocyte Activation - genetics
Lymphocyte Activation - immunology
Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus - immunology
Mice
Mice, Inbred C57BL
Mice, Mutant Strains
Mice, Transgenic
Radiation Chimera - immunology
Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell - genetics
Succinimides - metabolism
T-Lymphocyte Subsets - cytology
T-Lymphocyte Subsets - immunology
T-Lymphocyte Subsets - metabolism
T-Lymphocyte Subsets - virology
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Summary:This study shows that naive CD8 T cells can acquire characteristics of memory T cells in the absence of stimulation with specific Ag simply by the process of homeostatic proliferation under lymphopenic conditions. This Ag-independent T cell differentiation pathway did not result in up-regulation of early activation markers (CD69, CD25, CD71), but expression of several memory markers (CD44, CD122, Ly6C) increased progressively with successive divisions. These markers were then stably expressed, and these cells also became more responsive functionally to specific Ag. Thus, all "memory" phenotype T cells in an individual may not be true Ag-experienced cells and may include naive cells masquerading as memory cells. These findings are specially relevant in cases of disease or treatment-induced lymphopenia such as in HIV-infected individuals or transplant recipients. In addition, this study may have implications for autoimmunity because homeostatic proliferation of naive T cells requires interaction with self peptide plus MHC molecules.
ISSN:0022-1767
1550-6606
DOI:10.4049/jimmunol.165.4.1733