Two subsets of memory T lymphocytes with distinct homing potentials and effector functions

Tools

Item Type:	Article
Title:	Two subsets of memory T lymphocytes with distinct homing potentials and effector functions
Creators Name:	Sallusto, F., Lenig, D., Foerster, R., Lipp, M. and Lanzavecchia, A.
Abstract:	Naive T lymphocytes travel to T-cell areas of secondary lymphoid organs in search of antigen presented by dendritic cells. Once activated, they proliferate vigorously, generating effector cells that can migrate to B-cell areas or to inflamed tissues. A fraction of primed T lymphocytes persists as circulating memory cells that can confer protection and give, upon secondary challenge, a qualitatively different and quantitatively enhanced response. The nature of the cells that mediate the different facets of immunological memory remains unresolved. Here we show that expression of CCR7, a chemokine receptor that controls homing to secondary lymphoid organs, divides human memory T cells into two functionally distinct subsets. CCR7- memory cells express receptors for migration to inflamed tissues and display immediate effector function. In contrast, CCR7+ memory cells express lymph-node homing receptors and lack immediate effector function, but efficiently stimulate dendritic cells and differentiate into CCR7- effector cells upon secondary stimulation. The CCR7+ and CCR7- T cells, which we have named central memory (TCM) and effector memory (TEM), differentiate in a step-wise fashion from naive T cells, persist for years after immunization and allow a division of labour in the memory response.
Keywords:	CCR7 Receptors, Chemokine Receptors, Cultured Cells, Immunologic Memory, Interferon-gamma, L-Selectin, Leukopoiesis, Lymphocyte Activation, Lymphocyte Homing Receptors, Lymphoid Tissue, T-Lymphocyte Subsets
Source:	Nature
ISSN:	0028-0836
Publisher:	Nature Publishing Group
Volume:	401
Number:	6754
Page Range:	708-712
Date:	14 October 1999
Official Publication:	https://doi.org/10.1038/44385
PubMed:	View item in PubMed

Repository Staff Only: item control page