Abstract
Memory T cells are long-lived antigen-experienced T cells that are generally accepted to be direct descendants of proliferating primary effector cells. However, the factors that permit selective survival of these T cells are not well established. We show that homodimeric alpha chains of the CD8 molecule (CD8alphaalpha) are transiently induced on a selected subset of CD8alphabeta+ T cells upon antigenic stimulation. These CD8alphaalpha molecules promote the survival and differentiation of activated lymphocytes into memory CD8 T cells. Thus, memory precursors can be identified among primary effector cells and are selected for survival and differentiation by CD8alphaalpha.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
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Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
MeSH terms
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Animals
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Antigen-Presenting Cells / immunology
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Arenaviridae Infections / immunology
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CD8 Antigens / immunology*
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CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology*
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Cell Differentiation
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Cell Survival
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Immunologic Memory*
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Interferon-gamma / biosynthesis
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Lymphocyte Activation*
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Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus / immunology
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Membrane Glycoproteins / immunology
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Membrane Glycoproteins / metabolism
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Mice
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Mice, Inbred C57BL
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Mice, Knockout
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Mice, Transgenic
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Receptors, Interleukin-7 / immunology
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Receptors, Interleukin-7 / metabolism
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T-Lymphocyte Subsets / immunology
Substances
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CD8 Antigens
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CD8 antigen, alpha chain
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Membrane Glycoproteins
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Receptors, Interleukin-7
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interleukin-7 receptor, alpha chain
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thymus-leukemia antigens
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Interferon-gamma