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CD4+ T cell effectors can become memory cells with high efficiency and without further division

Nature Immunology volume 2, pages 705–710 (2001)Cite this article

Abstract

Whether memory T lymphocytes are derived directly from effector T cells or via a separately controlled pathway has long been debated. Here we present evidence that, after adoptive transfer, a large fraction of in vitro–derived effector CD4+ T cells have the potential to become memory T cells and that this transition can occur without further division. This data supports a linear pathway from effector to memory cells and suggests that most properties of memory cells are predetermined during effector generation. We suggest, therefore, that evaluation of vaccine efficacy in the induction of memory CD4+ T cells should focus on the effector stage.

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Figure 1: Changes in effector cells induced by resting.
Figure 2: Initial cell distribution and recovery in class II−/− mice after adoptive transfer.
Figure 3: Long-term cell survival in class II−/− mice after adoptive transfer of effectors.
Figure 4: Survival of rested effectors without much division in class II−/− hosts.
Figure 5: Cytokine production of memory cells derived from rested TH2 effectors.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Trudeau Institute, 100 Algonquin Avenue, Saranac Lake, 12983, NY, USA

    Hui Hu, Gail Huston, Debra Duso, Nancy Lepak, Eulogia Roman & Susan L. Swain

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  1. Hui Hu
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Correspondence to Susan L. Swain.

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Hu, H., Huston, G., Duso, D. et al. CD4+ T cell effectors can become memory cells with high efficiency and without further division. Nat Immunol 2, 705–710 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1038/90643

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