Differential expression of Ly6C and T-bet distinguish effector and memory Th1 CD4(+) cell properties during viral infection

Immunity. 2011 Oct 28;35(4):633-46. doi: 10.1016/j.immuni.2011.08.016. Epub 2011 Oct 20.

Abstract

CD4(+) T cells differentiate into multiple effector types, but it is unclear how they form memory T cells during infection in vivo. Profiling virus-specific CD4(+) T cells revealed that effector cells with T helper 1 (Th1) or T follicular helper (Tfh) cell characteristics differentiated into memory cells, although expression of Tfh cell markers declined over time. In contrast to virus-specific effector CD8(+) T cells, increased IL-7R expression was not a reliable marker of CD4(+) memory precursor cells. However, decreased Ly6C and T-bet (Tbx21) expression distinguished a subset of Th1 cells that displayed greater longevity and proliferative responses to secondary infection. Moreover, the gene expression profile of Ly6C(lo)T-bet(int) Th1 effector cells was virtually identical to mature memory CD4(+) T cells, indicating early maturation of memory CD4(+) T cell features in this subset during acute viral infection. This study provides a framework for memory CD4(+) T cell development after acute viral infection.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antigens, Ly / genetics
  • Antigens, Ly / immunology*
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Gene Expression Regulation
  • Immunologic Memory*
  • Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • T-Box Domain Proteins / genetics
  • T-Box Domain Proteins / immunology*
  • Th1 Cells / cytology
  • Th1 Cells / immunology*
  • Th1 Cells / virology

Substances

  • Antigens, Ly
  • Ly-6C antigen, mouse
  • T-Box Domain Proteins
  • T-box transcription factor TBX21

Associated data

  • GEO/GSE32596