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Induction and Validation of Cellular Senescence in Primary Human Cells
Published on: June 20, 2018
Induction of CD4 T cell memory by local cellular collectivity
Michal Polonsky1, Jacob Rimer1, Amos Kern-Perets1
1Department of Immunology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel.
Abstract:
Cell differentiation is directed by signals driving progenitors into specialized cell types. This process can involve collective decision-making, when differentiating cells determine their lineage choice by interacting with each other. We used live-cell imaging in microwell arrays to study collective processes affecting differentiation of naïve CD4+ T cells into memory precursors. We found that differentiation of precursor memory T cells sharply increases above a threshold number of locally interacting cells. These homotypic interactions involve the cytokines interleukin-2 (IL-2) and IL-6, which affect memory differentiation orthogonal to their effect on proliferation and survival. Mathematical modeling suggests that the differentiation rate is continuously modulated by the instantaneous number of locally interacting cells. This cellular collectivity can prioritize allocation of immune memory to stronger responses.
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