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Updated: Jan 2, 2026

Real-time Monitoring of Mitochondrial Respiration in Cytokine-differentiated Human Primary T Cells
Published on: October 19, 2021
Control of memory CD8+ T cell longevity and effector functions by IL-15
Jeffrey C Nolz1, Martin J Richer2
1Department of Molecular Microbiology & Immunology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, United States; Department of Cell, Developmental & Cancer Biology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, United States; Department of Radiation Medicine, Oregon Health & Science University, 3181 SW Sam Jackson Park Road, Portland, OR 97239, United States.
Abstract:
IL-15 is a member of the common gamma chain family of cytokines and plays important roles in regulating several aspects of innate and adaptive immunity. Besides its established role in controlling homeostatic proliferation and survival of memory CD8+ T cells and natural killer cells, recent findings demonstrate that inflammatory IL-15 can also stimulate a variety of effector functions, such as enhanced cytotoxicity, entry into the cell cycle, and trafficking into non-lymphoid tissues. Here, we discuss how IL-15 is critical in regulating many functions of memory CD8+ T cells and how these processes act collectively to ensure optimal protective cellular immunity against re-infections.
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