Cutting edge: Synapse propensity of human memory CD8 T cells confers competitive advantage over naive counterparts

Journal article

Memory T cells are endowed with multiple functional features that enable them to be more protective than naive T cells against infectious threats. It is not known if memory cells have a higher synapse propensity (SP; i.e., increased probability to form immature immunological synapses that then provide an entry into different modes of durable interaction with APCs). In this study, we show that only human memory CD8 T cells have remarkably high SP compared with naive counterparts. Such a dichotomy between naive and memory cells is not observed within the human CD4 or murine CD8 T cell population. Higher SP in human memory CD8 T cells allows them to outcompete and prevent naive CD8 T cells from getting recruited to the response. This observation has implications for original antigenic sin and aging of the immune system in humans.

Authors: Mayya, V; Judokusumo, E; Abu-Shah, E; Neiswanger, W; Sachar, C

• Publication status: Published
• Peer review status: Peer reviewed
• Publisher: American Association of Immunologists
• Journal: Journal of Immunology
• Volume: 203
• Issue: 1
• Article number: ji1801687
• Publication date: 2019-06-14
• Acceptance date: 2019-05-28
• DOI: 10.4049/jimmunol.1801687
• EISSN: 1550-6606
• ISSN: 0022-1767
• Pmid: 31201237
• Language: English