Abstract
Following infection, T cells differentiate into a heterogeneous population of effector T cells that can mediate pathogen clearance. A subset of these effector T cells possesses the ability to survive long term and mature into memory T cells that can provide long-term immunity. Understanding the signals that regulate the development of memory T cells is crucial to efforts to design vaccines capable of eliciting T cell-based immunity. CD4+ T cells are essential in the formation of protective memory CD8+ T cells following infection or immunization. However, until recently, the mechanisms by which CD4+ T cells act to support memory CD8+ T cell development following infection were unclear. Here, we discuss recent studies that provide insight into the multifaceted role of CD4+ T cells in the regulation of memory CD8+ T cell differentiation.
Original language | English |
---|---|
Pages (from-to) | 102-111 |
Number of pages | 10 |
Journal | Nature Reviews Immunology |
Volume | 16 |
Issue number | 2 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Feb 1 2016 |