Linear Differentiation of Cytotoxic Effectors into Memory T Lymphocytes

Abstract

A central question in immunology is the origin of long-lived T cell memory that confers protection against recurrent infection. The differentiation of naı̈ve T cell receptor transgenic CD8⁺cells into effector cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) and memory CD8⁺cells was studied. Memory CD8⁺cells that were generated after strong antigenic stimulation were the progeny of cytotoxic effectors and retained antigen-specific cytolytic activity 10 weeks after adoptive transfer to antigen-free recipient mice. Thus, potential vaccines based on CTL memory will require the differentiation of naı̈ve cells into post-effector memory T cells.