Bystander CD8⁺ conventional memory versus virtual memory T cells in the initial days post-<i>Trypanosoma cruzi</i> infection.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Bystander activation has primarily focused on conventional antigen-specific T cells (T_MEM) and other innate immune cell types. However, the role of virtual memory T cells (T_VM) has been largely overlooked, despite their numerical superiority and highly cytotoxic phenotype. Bystander activation is particularly relevant in infections caused by intracellular pathogens. In this study, we aimed to compare the bystander activation potential of T_VM cells versus T_MEM cells during the early days following T. cruzi infection.

Methodology/principal findings

Our results demonstrate that T_VM and T_MEM cells, evaluated by flow cytometry, are present but do not undergo significant changes in frequency during

SUBMITTER: Viano ME 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12719477 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature