Alternative memory in the CD8 T cell lineage

Trends Immunol. 2011 Feb;32(2):50-6. doi: 10.1016/j.it.2010.12.004. Epub 2011 Feb 1.

Abstract

A prominent population of innate CD8+ T cells develops in the thymus of several gene-deficient mouse strains, including Itk, KLF2, CBP and Id3. These cells have the phenotype and function of memory CD8+ T cells, without previous exposure to antigen. Surprisingly, the cytokine IL-4 plays a key role in their development. As this developmental mechanism was discovered, it came to light that innate CD8+ T cells exist also in normal mice and in humans. In this review, we discuss how these cells develop, compare and contrast them to other CD8 memory cells, and discuss their potential physiological relevance.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • Cell Lineage*
  • Humans
  • Immunity, Innate
  • Immunologic Memory*
  • Interleukin-4 / immunology
  • Natural Killer T-Cells / immunology

Substances

  • Interleukin-4