Increased memory conversion of naive CD8 T cells activated during late phases of acute virus infection due to decreased cumulative antigen exposure.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Memory CD8 T cells form an essential part of protective immunity against viral infections. Antigenic load, costimulation, CD4-help, cytokines and chemokines fluctuate during the course of an antiviral immune response thus affecting CD8 T cell activation and memory conversion.

Methodology/principal findings

In the present study, naïve TCR transgenic LCMV-specific P14 CD8 T cells engaged at a late stage during the acute antiviral LCMV response showed reduced expansion kinetics but greater memory conversion in the spleen. Such late activated cells displayed a memory precursor effector phenotype already at the peak of the systemic antiviral response, suggesting that the environment determined their fate during antigen encounter. In the spleen, the majority of late tra

SUBMITTER: Fousteri G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3017078 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature