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Dendritic cells maximize the memory CD8 T cell response to infection
David J Zammit1, Linda S Cauley, Quynh-Mai Pham
1Division of Immunology, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT 06030, USA.
Immunity
|May 17, 2005
Summary
Dendritic cells (DCs) are crucial for reactivating memory CD8 T cells during infections. Their interaction is a major mechanism driving T cell reactivation in vivo, even in tissue-specific infections.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Cellular Biology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Costimulatory signals from dendritic cells (DCs) are essential for naive T cell activation.
- The role of DCs in reactivating memory T cells during recall responses remains largely unknown.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the extent to which dendritic cells (DCs) reactivate memory CD8 T cells during recall responses to microbial infections.
Main Methods:
- Utilized an in vivo depletion system to analyze DC function.
- Examined recall responses to vesicular stomatitis virus, Listeria monocytogenes, and influenza virus infections.
Main Results:
- A significant decrease in responding memory CD8 T cells was observed in lymphoid and nonlymphoid tissues.
- This reduction occurred during recall responses to all three tested microbial infections.
Conclusions:
- Dendritic cell interaction is a primary mechanism for T cell reactivation in vivo.
- This mechanism is important even in tissue-specific infections, such as those affecting the respiratory tract.