Related Experiment Video

Updated: Nov 9, 2025

A High Resolution Method to Monitor Phosphorylation-dependent Activation of IRF3
11:44

A High Resolution Method to Monitor Phosphorylation-dependent Activation of IRF3

Published on: January 24, 2016

12.2K

Interferon regulatory factor 4 controls effector functions of CD8+ memory T cells

Aenne Harberts1, Constantin Schmidt1, Joanna Schmid1

  • 1Institute of Immunology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, 20246 Hamburg, Germany.

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
|April 16, 2021
PubMed

Insights

The transcription factor IRF4 is crucial for CD8+ T cell responses. While not essential for survival, IRF4 is required for the effective reactivation and function of CD8+ memory T cells, particularly tissue-resident memory (TRM) cells.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Cell Biology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Interferon regulatory factor 4 (IRF4) is vital for CD8+ T cell effector functions.
  • The role of IRF4 in CD8+ memory T cells remains largely unexplored.
  • CD8+ T cells differentiate into effector cells and memory cells after infection.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the function of IRF4 in maintaining the differentiation state and survival of CD8+ memory T cells.
  • To determine IRF4's role in the reactivation and effector function of memory CD8+ T cells upon secondary infection.
  • To assess the specific role of IRF4 in CD8+ tissue-resident memory (TRM) cells.

Main Methods:

  • Used a tamoxifen-inducible Irf4 knockout mouse model.
  • Infected mice with ovalbumin-recombinant Listeria.
  • Induced Irf4 knockout after pathogen clearance and analyzed CD8+ T cell populations and function upon re-exposure.

Main Results:

  • Loss of IRF4 altered CD8+ memory T cell phenotype but did not affect overall population size.
  • IRF4-deficient CD8+ memory T cells exhibited impaired expansion and effector function upon secondary infection.
  • CD8+ TRM cells expressed higher IRF4 levels than effector memory T cells, and IRF4 deficiency reduced CD8+ TRM populations.

Conclusions:

  • IRF4 is essential for the effective reactivation of CD8+ memory T cells, but not for their general survival.
  • IRF4 plays a critical role in the formation and maintenance of CD8+ TRM cells.

Keywords:
CD8+ T cellsListeria monocytogenesinterferon regulatory factor 4memory T cells

More Related Videos

Native Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis Immunoblot Analysis of Endogenous IRF5 Dimerization08:57

Native Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis Immunoblot Analysis of Endogenous IRF5 Dimerization

Published on: October 6, 2019

10.3K
Phenotypic and Functional Analysis of Activated Regulatory T Cells Isolated from Chronic Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis Virus-infected Mice07:17

Phenotypic and Functional Analysis of Activated Regulatory T Cells Isolated from Chronic Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis Virus-infected Mice

Published on: June 22, 2016

10.1K

Related Concept Videos

T Cell Types and Functions01:24

T Cell Types and Functions

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...
1.7K
T Cell Activation and Clonal Selection01:22

T Cell Activation and Clonal Selection

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...
13.7K
Immune Response Against Viral Pathogens01:29

Immune Response Against Viral Pathogens

The immune system's response to viral infections is a complex and coordinated process involving natural killer (NK) cells, T cell-mediated responses, and antibody-mediated responses.
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...
1.2K
Cytotoxic T Cells-mediated Immune Response01:27

Cytotoxic T Cells-mediated Immune Response

Cytotoxic T cells are a vital component of the immune system. They have the remarkable ability to identify and target antigens on infected or abnormal cells. These antigens often originate from intracellular pathogens such as viruses or abnormal proteins cancer cells produce.
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...
5.7K
Master Transcription Regulators02:23

Master Transcription Regulators

Master transcription regulators are regulatory proteins that are predominantly responsible for regulating the expression of multiple genes. Often these genes work in concert to drive a  complex process. Activation of a master transcription regulator can lead to a cascade of transcriptional activation necessary for that outcome. These regulators can directly bind to the regulatory sequences of the various genes involved, or they can indirectly regulate transcription by binding to regulatory...
7.3K
Cell-mediated Immune Responses01:40

Cell-mediated Immune Responses

Overview
79.0K