Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 22, 2025
07:36
Tumor Transplantation for Assessing the Dynamics of Tumor-Infiltrating CD8+ T Cells in Mice
Published on: June 12, 2021
6.9K
The CD8α-PILRα interaction maintains CD8+ T cell quiescence.
Linghua Zheng1, Xue Han1, Sheng Yao1
1Department of Immunobiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA.
Science (New York, N.Y.)
|May 26, 2022
Summary
CD8α maintains T cell quiescence, preventing spontaneous activation and death. The CD8α-PILRα interaction is crucial for regulating peripheral T cell numbers without antigen exposure.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- T cell quiescence is vital for immune surveillance against diverse antigens.
- The molecular mechanisms governing T cell quiescence are not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of CD8α in maintaining CD8+ T cell quiescence.
- To identify molecular interactions regulating T cell homeostasis.
Main Methods:
- Inducible deletion of CD8α in mice.
- Analysis of T cell phenotypes and survival.
- Identification of CD8α ligands using co-immunoprecipitation and surface plasmon resonance.
Main Results:
- CD8α deletion led to spontaneous activation and death of naïve and memory CD8+ T cells.
- PILRα was identified as a functional ligand for CD8α in mice and humans.
- Disrupting the CD8α-PILRα interaction abrogated T cell quiescence.
Conclusions:
- CD8α is essential for maintaining CD8+ T cell quiescence in peripheral lymphoid organs.
- The CD8α-PILRα axis actively regulates peripheral T cell pool size independently of antigen exposure.
Related Concept Videos
01:22T Cell Activation and Clonal Selection
6.0K
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...
6.0K
01:19Multipotency of Hematopoietic Stem Cells
3.3K
The hematopoietic stem cells or HSCs are multipotent, meaning they can differentiate and give rise to all blood and immune cells. HSCs are maintained in the quiescent stage until an external stimulus initiates their differentiation. The multipotent HSCs exist as two heterogeneous populations, long-term repopulating cells (LTRC) and short-term repopulating cells (STRC). The two HSC populations have different surface markers or receptors and are classified based on quiescence and long-term...
3.3K
02:34Inhibition of Cdk Activity
4.9K
The orderly progression of the cell cycle depends on the activation of Cdk protein by binding to its cyclin partner. However, the cell cycle must be restricted when undergoing abnormal changes. Most cancers correlate to the deregulated cell cycle, and since Cdks are a central component of the cell cycle, Cdk inhibitors are extensively studied to develop anticancer agents. For instance, cyclin D associates with several Cdks, such as Cdk 4/6, to form an active complex. The cyclin D-Cdk4/6 complex...
4.9K
02:23Abnormal Proliferation
4.6K
Under normal conditions, most adult cells remain in a non-proliferative state unless stimulated by internal or external factors to replace lost cells. Abnormal cell proliferation is a condition in which the cell's growth exceeds and is uncoordinated with normal cells. In such situations, cell division persists in the same excessive manner even after cessation of the stimuli, leading to persistent tumors. The tumor arises from the damaged cells that replicate to pass the damage to the...
4.6K
01:12Role Of Notch Signalling In Intestinal Stem Cell Renewal
2.2K
Notch signaling was first discovered in Drosophila melanogaster, where it is involved in cell lineage differentiation. Notch signaling regulates the maintenance and differentiation of intestinal stem cells or ISCs by controlling the expression of atonal homolog 1 or Atoh1. Atoh1 directs cells to differentiate into secretory cells.
Direct cell-to-cell contact is needed for the activation of Notch signaling. The signal is initiated when a notch ligand binds to a receptor on an adjacent cell, also...
Direct cell-to-cell contact is needed for the activation of Notch signaling. The signal is initiated when a notch ligand binds to a receptor on an adjacent cell, also...
2.2K
01:24T Cell Types and Functions
1.4K
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...
1.4K