Cutting edge: Expression of FcγRIIB tempers memory CD8 T cell function in vivo

J Immunol. 2014 Jan 1;192(1):35-9. doi: 10.4049/jimmunol.1302232. Epub 2013 Nov 27.

Abstract

During reinfection, high-affinity IgG Abs form complexes with both soluble Ag and Ag displayed on the surface of infected cells. These interactions regulate cellular activation of both innate cells and B cells, which express specific combinations of activating FcγRs (FcγRI, FcγRIII, FcγRIV) and/or the inhibitory FcγR (FcγRIIB). Direct proof for functional expression of FcγR by Ag-specific CD8 T cells is lacking. In this article, we show that the majority of memory CD8 T cells generated by bacterial or viral infection express only FcγRIIB, and that FcγRIIB could be detected on previously activated human CD8 T cells. Of note, FcγR stimulation during in vivo Ag challenge not only inhibited the cytotoxicity of memory CD8 T cells against peptide-loaded or virus-infected targets, but FcγRIIB blockade during homologous virus challenge enhanced the secondary CD8 T cell response. Thus, memory CD8 T cells intrinsically express a functional FcγRIIB, permitting Ag-Ab complexes to regulate secondary CD8 T cell responses.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antigens / immunology
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / metabolism*
  • Cell Line
  • Cytotoxicity, Immunologic
  • Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte / immunology
  • Gene Expression Regulation*
  • Humans
  • Immunologic Memory / genetics*
  • Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis / immunology
  • Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus / immunology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Receptors, IgG / genetics*
  • Receptors, IgG / metabolism

Substances

  • Antigens
  • Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte
  • Receptors, IgG