Virtual memory cells make a major contribution to the response of aged influenza-naive mice to influenza virus infection.

ABSTRACT:

Background

A diverse repertoire of naïve T cells is thought to be essential for a robust response to new infections. However, a key aspect of aging of the T cell compartment is a decline in numbers and diversity of peripheral naïve T cells. We have hypothesized that the age-related decline in naïve T cells forces the immune system to respond to new infections using cross-reactive memory T cells generated to previous infections that dominate the aged peripheral T cell repertoire.

Results

Here we confirm that the CD8 T cell response of aged, influenza-naïve mice to primary infection with influenza virus is dominated by T cells that derive from the memory T cell pool. These cells exhibit the phenotypic characteristics of virtual memory cells rather than true memory cells. Furth

SUBMITTER: Lanzer KG 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6081820 | biostudies-literature | 2018

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature