IL-12 selectively programs effector pathways that are stably expressed in human CD8+ effector memory T cells in vivo.

ABSTRACT: CD8(+) cytotoxic T lymphocytes play a major role in defense against intracellular pathogens, and their functions are specified by antigen recognition and innate cytokines. IL-12 and IFN-α/β are potent "signal 3" cytokines that are involved in both effector and memory cell development. Although the majority of effector cells are eliminated as inflammation resolves, some survive within the pool of memory cells and retain immediate effector function. In this study, we demonstrate that IL-12 instructs a unique program of effector cell differentiation that is distinct from IFN-α/β. Moreover, effector memory (T(EM)) cells within peripheral blood display many common attributes of cells differentiated in vitro in response to IL-12, including proinflammatory cytokine secretion and lytic activity. A

SUBMITTER: Chowdhury FZ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3193266 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature