Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 13, 2026

Measuring Mitochondrial Function of Naïve and Effector CD8 T Cells
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Measuring Mitochondrial Function of Naïve and Effector CD8 T Cells

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Diverse Microbial Exposure Enhances CD8+ T Cell Effector Memory Output and Function

Claire E Thefaine1, Erin D Lucas1, Katharine E Block1

  • 1Center for Immunology, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN.

Biorxiv : the Preprint Server for Biology
|February 12, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Normalized microbial exposure (NME) mice show a more human-like immune system. NME mice exhibit an enhanced T cell response, improving pathogen clearance compared to specific pathogen-free (SPF) mice.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Microbiome Research
  • Comparative Immunology

Background:

  • Specific pathogen-free (SPF) mice have an immune system that differs from humans.
  • Normalized microbial exposure (NME) mice offer a more human-relevant model.
  • Alterations in the T cell compartment of NME mice are not well understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare the T cell landscape in NME versus SPF mice.
  • To investigate T cell responses at baseline and after viral infection (LCMV).
  • To identify specific T cell populations that differ between NME and SPF mice.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized the immgenT dataset for T cell profiling.
  • Compared T cell populations in NME and SPF mice.
  • Analyzed T cell responses before and after lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) infection.

Main Results:

  • NME mice displayed a T cell landscape shifted towards activated effector cells.
  • NME mice showed improved pathogen clearance compared to SPF mice.
  • CD8+ KLRG1+ T cells were significantly expanded in NME mice due to increased formation and conversion.

Conclusions:

  • NME mice possess a more diverse T cell compartment than SPF mice.
  • The expanded CD8+ KLRG1+ T cell population in NME mice contributes to enhanced effector functions.
  • NME mice serve as a valuable model for studying human-relevant T cell immunity.

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