Phenotypic and functional separation of memory and effector human CD8+ T cells

J Exp Med. 1997 Nov 3;186(9):1407-18. doi: 10.1084/jem.186.9.1407.

Abstract

Human CD8+ memory- and effector-type T cells are poorly defined. We show here that, next to a naive compartment, two discrete primed subpopulations can be found within the circulating human CD8+ T cell subset. First, CD45RA-CD45R0(+) cells are reminiscent of memory-type T cells in that they express elevated levels of CD95 (Fas) and the integrin family members CD11a, CD18, CD29, CD49d, and CD49e, compared to naive CD8+ T cells, and are able to secrete not only interleukin (IL) 2 but also interferon gamma, tumor necrosis factor alpha, and IL-4. This subset does not exert cytolytic activity without prior in vitro stimulation but does contain virus-specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) precursors. A second primed population is characterized by CD45RA expression with concomitant absence of expression of the costimulatory molecules CD27 and CD28. The CD8+CD45RA+CD27- population contains T cells expressing high levels of CD11a, CD11b, CD18, and CD49d, whereas CD62L (L-selectin) is not expressed. These T cells do not secrete IL-2 or -4 but can produce IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha. In accordance with this finding, cells contained within this subpopulation depend for proliferation on exogenous growth factors such as IL-2 and -15. Interestingly, CD8+CD45RA+CD27- cells parallel effector CTLs, as they abundantly express Fas-ligand mRNA, contain perforin and granzyme B, and have high cytolytic activity without in vitro prestimulation. Based on both phenotypic and functional properties, we conclude that memory- and effector-type T cells can be separated as distinct entities within the human CD8+ T cell subset.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Cytokines / biosynthesis
  • Cytotoxicity, Immunologic
  • Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte / analysis
  • Hematopoietic Stem Cells / classification
  • Hematopoietic Stem Cells / immunology
  • Humans
  • Immunoglobulins / biosynthesis
  • Immunologic Memory*
  • Immunophenotyping
  • Leukocyte Common Antigens / analysis
  • Lymphocyte Activation
  • Lymphocyte Cooperation
  • T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / classification
  • T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / immunology
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / classification*
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / immunology*
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / metabolism
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor Superfamily, Member 7 / analysis

Substances

  • Cytokines
  • Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte
  • Immunoglobulins
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor Superfamily, Member 7
  • Leukocyte Common Antigens