CD8 T lymphocytes deploy embryonic cell cycle control mechanisms for rapid cell proliferation

ABSTRACT: Rapid proliferation of CD8 T cells is crucial for adaptive immunity against viral infection. CD8 T cells can complete division cycles in less than 6 hours, representing a physiological extreme for somatic mammalian cells. Embryonic stem cells utilize specialized cell cycle control mechanisms, including subdued periodic expression, for rapid cell division cycles. CD8 T cell cycle control remains poorly understood. Here, we tested whether CD8 T cells utilize embryonic mechanisms to promote rapid cell cycles. We comprehensively measured protein abundances in G1, S and G2&M phases in three murine cell types: CD8 T cells, embryonic stem cells and fibroblasts. We discovered striking similarities between mESC and CD8 T cells. We demonstrate that CD8 T cells express Cyclin E1 and Emi1/Fbxo5 at high levels to promote S-phase entry. Interestingly, CD8 T cells and mESCs differ in the frequency of G2&M phase cells, the abundance of DNA replication origin licensing and initiation factors, and the abundance of APC/C substrates. Thus somatic T cells have both unique and shared cell cycle control mechanisms to promote rapid cell cycles.

INSTRUMENT(S):

ORGANISM(S): Mus Musculus (mouse)

TISSUE(S): T Cell

SUBMITTER: Tony Ly  

LAB HEAD: Tony Ly

PROVIDER: PXD077442 | Pride | 2026-09-14

REPOSITORIES: Pride