Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 29, 2025

Murine Superficial Lymph Node Surgery
Published on: May 21, 2012
Virtual Memory CD8+ T Cells: Origin and Beyond
Maria Estefania Viano1, Natalia Soledad Baez1, Constanza Savid-Frontera1
1Inmunología, CIBICI-CONICET, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina.
The presence of CD8+ T cells with a memory phenotype in nonimmunized mice has been noted for decades, but it was not until about 2 decades ago that they began to be studied in greater depth. Currently called virtual memory CD8+ T cells, they consist of a heterogeneous group of cells with memory characteristics, without any previous contact with their specific antigens. These cells were identified in mice, but a few years ago, a cell type with characteristics equivalent to the murine ones was described in healthy humans. In this review, we address the different aspects of its biology mainly developed in murine models and what is currently known about its cellular equivalent in humans.
The presence of CD8+ T cells with a memory phenotype in nonimmunized mice has been noted for decades, but it was not until about 2 decades ago that they began to be studied in greater depth. Currently called virtual memory CD8+ T cells, they consist of a heterogeneous group of cells with memory characteristics, without any previous contact with their specific antigens. These cells were identified in mice, but a few years ago, a cell type with characteristics equivalent to the murine ones was described in healthy humans. In this review, we address the different aspects of its biology mainly developed in murine models and what is currently known about its cellular equivalent in humans.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
T Cell Activation and Clonal Selection
Naive T cells that have not yet encountered an antigen express two primary CD...
Cytotoxic T Cells-mediated Immune Response
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...
Cells of the Adaptive Immune Response
T Cell Types and Functions
Th1 cells stimulate dendritic cells to express necessary co-stimulatory molecules on their surfaces for...
Cell-mediated Immune Responses
Immune Response Against Viral Pathogens
NK Cells
NK cells are a crucial part of our innate immune system, acting as the first line of defense against viral infections. These cells can recognize and kill infected cells without prior exposure to the virus, effectively slowing down the spread of infection. Additionally, NK cells produce proinflammatory...

