Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 29, 2026
04:36
Murine Superficial Lymph Node Surgery
Published on: May 21, 2012
Tumor antigen-specific T-cells are Present in the CD8alphaalpha+ T-cell effector-memory pool
Isabelle Magalhaes1, Nalini Kumar Vudattu, Elke Jäger
1Microbiology and Tumor Cell Biology Center, Karolinska Institute, Nobels Väg 18 and SMI, Solna, Sweden.
Journal of Immunotherapy (Hagerstown, Md. : 1997)
|October 4, 2008
Summary
CD8alphaalpha+ T-cells are a distinct effector-memory cell type in melanoma patients. These cells, identified by CD8alphaalpha expression, may serve as a valuable marker for long-term antigen-specific T-cell memory.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Cellular Biology
- Oncology
Background:
- CD8+ T-cell memory formation in mice is linked to CD8alphaalpha homodimer expression.
- Clinical significance of CD8alphaalpha+ T-cells in humans remains largely unknown.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of CD8alphaalpha+ T-cells in tumor-specific immune responses in melanoma patients undergoing vaccination.
- To characterize the phenotype and function of CD8alphaalpha+ T-cells in the context of cancer immunotherapy.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal blood sample analysis from melanoma patients post-vaccination.
- Phenotypic analysis of T-cells, including CD8alphaalpha expression, CD45RA, and CCR7.
- Tetramer technology to identify Melan-A/MART-1-specific T-cells.
- Intracellular cytokine production assays (IL-2, IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha).
- T-cell receptor-CDR3 length analysis.
Main Results:
- CD8alphaalpha+ T-cell expression was stable over time and associated with an effector-memory profile (CD45RA+/-CCR7-).
- Melan-A/MART-1-specific T-cells were found within the CD8alphaalpha+ compartment.
- CD8alphaalpha+ T-cells exhibited a unique cytokine profile (TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma) compared to CD8alphabeta+ T-cells.
- T-cell receptor repertoire of Melan-A/MART-1-specific CD8alphaalpha+ T-cells was similar to CD8alphabeta+ T-cells.
Conclusions:
- CD8alphaalpha+ T-cells constitute a distinct effector-memory cell population in the peripheral circulation of melanoma patients.
- These cells may originate from CD8+ T-cells that have downregulated CD8beta expression.
- CD8alphaalpha+ T-cells and tetramer-specific T-cells show potential as biomarkers for assessing long-term antigen-specific T-cell memory in cancer patients.
Related Concept Videos
01:22T Cell Activation and Clonal Selection
T cells are integral to our adaptive immune system, recognizing and effectively responding to foreign antigens. T cell activation and clonal selection are pivotal in orchestrating this immune response. This article elucidates these mechanisms, detailing the roles of cluster of differentiation (CD) markers, major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules, costimulatory signals, and the process of clonal selection.
Naive T cells that have not yet encountered an antigen express two primary CD...
Naive T cells that have not yet encountered an antigen express two primary CD...
01:27Cytotoxic T Cells-mediated Immune Response
Cytotoxic T cells are a vital component of the immune system. They have the remarkable ability to identify and target antigens on infected or abnormal cells. These antigens often originate from intracellular pathogens such as viruses or abnormal proteins cancer cells produce.
Immunological surveillance is the ability of immune cells to monitor and eliminate infected cells with intracellular pathogens, neoplastically transformed cells, and cells with non-self antigens. Cytotoxic T cells and NK...
Immunological surveillance is the ability of immune cells to monitor and eliminate infected cells with intracellular pathogens, neoplastically transformed cells, and cells with non-self antigens. Cytotoxic T cells and NK...
01:23Cells of the Adaptive Immune Response
The T and B lymphocytes of the adaptive immune system develop from common lymphoid progenitor cells in the bone marrow. These progenitors give rise to precursors that eventually develop into both T and B lymphocytes. As these precursors mature, they gain the ability to detect and respond to foreign antigens in the body, a process known as immunocompetence. Additionally, these precursors acquire self-tolerance, a process that ensures they do not react to self-antigens. This intricate system...
01:24T Cell Types and Functions
When T cells with CD4 markers are activated, they give rise to two types of effector cells: helper T cells and regulatory T cells. Meanwhile, T cells with CD8 markers differentiate into effector cytotoxic T cells. The differentiation of CD4 T cells into helper T cell subsets, such as Th1, Th2, and Th17 cells, is dependent on the antigen type, antigen-presenting cell, and regulatory cytokines.
Th1 cells stimulate dendritic cells to express necessary co-stimulatory molecules on their surfaces for...
Th1 cells stimulate dendritic cells to express necessary co-stimulatory molecules on their surfaces for...
01:40Cell-mediated Immune Responses
Overview
01:27Tumor Immunotherapy
Immunotherapy is a treatment that boosts or manipulates the immune system to fight diseases, including cancer. For instance, by stimulating an immune response through vaccinations against viruses that cause cancers, like hepatitis B virus and human papillomavirus, these diseases can be prevented. Nonetheless, some cancer cells can avoid the immune system due to their rapid mutation and division. The immune response to many cancers involves three phases: elimination, equilibrium, and escape.