Infection-induced type I interferons critically modulate the homeostasis and function of CD8⁺ naive T cells.

ABSTRACT: Naïve T (Tn) cells require two homeostatic signals for long-term survival: tonic T cell receptor:self-peptide-MHC contact and IL-7 stimulation. However, how microbial exposure impacts Tn homeostasis is still unclear. Here we show that infections can lead to the expansion of a subpopulation of long-lived, Ly6C⁺ CD8⁺ Tn cells with accelerated effector function. Mechanistically, mono-infection with West Nile virus transiently, and polymicrobial exposure persistently, enhances Ly6C expression selectively on CD5^hiCD8⁺ cells, which in the case of polyinfection translates into a numerical CD8⁺ Tn cell increase in the lymph nodes. This conversion and expansion of Ly6C⁺ Tn cells depends on IFN-I, which upregulates MHC class I express

SUBMITTER: Jergovic M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8421345 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature