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Cutting edge: memory CD8 T cell compartment grows in size with immunological experience but nevertheless can lose
Katharina M Huster1, Christian Stemberger, Georg Gasteiger
1Institute for Medical Microbiology, Immunology, and Hygiene, Technical University Munich, 81675 Munich, Germany.
Journal of Immunology (Baltimore, Md. : 1950)
|November 6, 2009
Summary
Adaptive immunity size is maintained by memory cell attrition. However, CD8 memory cells can grow, preserving immunity. This study shows effector-memory cells alter, reducing protective immunity despite memory cell growth.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- T cell memory
- Vaccinology
Background:
- The adaptive immune system's size is traditionally thought to be constant due to memory cell attrition.
- Recent studies suggest CD8 memory cell compartments can expand, preserving pre-existing immunity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To experimentally validate whether pre-existing adaptive immunity is maintained despite CD8 memory compartment expansion.
- To investigate the fate of memory CD8 T cells and protective immunity after secondary challenge.
Main Methods:
- Utilized the Listeria monocytogenes (L.m.) infection model in mice.
- Administered modified vaccinia virus Ankara as a secondary vaccination to assess memory recall.
- Analyzed the size and function of L.m.-specific memory CD8 T cells.
Main Results:
- Confirmed expansion of the CD8 memory compartment following secondary vaccination.
- Observed only modest attrition of pre-existing L.m.-specific memory CD8 T cells.
- Demonstrated a significant loss of pre-existing protective immunity against L.m.
Conclusions:
- While CD8 memory cell numbers may increase, pre-existing protective immunity is not necessarily preserved.
- Alterations in effector-memory cells, not central memory cells, lead to the loss of protective immunity.
- Vaccine strategies introducing large numbers of new CD8 memory cells may impact existing immunity.
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