Functional and genomic profiling of effector CD8 T cell subsets with distinct memory fates.

ABSTRACT: An important question in memory development is understanding the differences between effector CD8 T cells that die versus effector cells that survive and give rise to memory cells. In this study, we provide a comprehensive phenotypic, functional, and genomic profiling of terminal effectors and memory precursors. Using killer cell lectin-like receptor G1 as a marker to distinguish these effector subsets, we found that despite their diverse cell fates, both subsets possessed remarkably similar gene expression profiles and functioned as equally potent killer cells. However, only the memory precursors were capable of making interleukin (IL) 2, thus defining a novel effector cell that was cytotoxic, expressed granzyme B, and produced inflammatory cytokines in addition to IL-2. This effector pop

SUBMITTER: Sarkar S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2275385 | biostudies-literature | 2008 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature