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Programmed contraction of CD8(+) T cells after infection
Vladimir P Badovinac1, Brandon B Porter, John T Harty
1Department of Microbiology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA.
Nature Immunology
|June 11, 2002
Summary
CD8(+) T cell expansion depends on infection dose and pathogen clearance. However, T cell contraction is programmed early and independent of initial immune response magnitude.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Cellular Biology
- Infectious Disease
Background:
- Antigen-specific CD8(+) T cell expansion and contraction are crucial for adaptive immunity.
- The factors governing the magnitude and kinetics of these T cell responses are not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between infection parameters and CD8(+) T cell response dynamics.
- To determine the factors influencing T cell expansion and contraction phases.
Main Methods:
- Infection of mice with Listeria monocytogenes and lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus.
- Quantification of antigen-specific CD8(+) T cell expansion and contraction.
- Analysis of the impact of infection dose, antigen load, and pathogen clearance rate.
Main Results:
- CD8(+) T cell expansion was dependent on initial infection dose and antigen availability.
- Pathogen clearance rate also influenced the magnitude of T cell expansion.
- The onset and kinetics of CD8(+) T cell contraction were independent of expansion magnitude, infection dose, or antigen load.
Conclusions:
- Early programming of the immune response dictates CD8(+) T cell contraction.
- T cell homeostasis, particularly contraction, may be established independently of the initial immune stimulation's scale.