Matthew D. MartinpersName, Vladimir P. BadovinacpersName (2018date). “Defining Memory CD8 T Cell..” Frontiers in Immunologytitle·j.
Object of study — heterogeneityterm·key within the antigen-specific memory CD8 T cellterm·dom compartment and its subsetterm·key classifications
Research question — how a definition of CD8 T cell memory can account for the diversity of memory cellsterm
Contribution — a synthesis showing that the phenotype and function of circulating memory CD8 T cellsterm·dom are shaped by the time since antigenterm·key encounter
phenomenon · claim-type · cross-domain-transfer · mechanism · claim-relation · replication-status · limitation — grounded in the full text| phenomenon | a memory CD8 T cell pool made of cells differing in phenotype, function and protective capacity — “Characteristics of memory CD8 T cell responses best-suited to provide protection against infection vary depending upon the nature of the pathogen, and over the past 20 years it has become clear that the memory CD8 T cell pool consists of a heterogeneous population of cells that differ in phenotype, function, and protective capacity ( 28 – 34 ).” | |
| claim-type | existence — “Thus, Tem, Tcm, Trm, and Tpm classification does not completely capture memory CD8 T cell diversity.” | |
| method — evidence | — “However, this review will focus solely on memory CD8 T cells generated in response to infection.” | |
| object of study — evidence | — “This review will focus on our current understanding of heterogeneity within the antigen-specific memory CD8 T cell compartment and classifications of memory CD8 T cell subsets with defined and discrete functionalities.” | |
| research question — evidence | — “A complete definition of CD8 T cell memory, then, should account for this diversity, and immunologists have categorized cells of distinct functional abilities into subsets to better understand memory CD8 T cell heterogeneity.” | |
| contribution — evidence | — “Recent data suggest that phenotype and/or function of numerically stable circulatory memory CD8 T cells are defined by the age of memory CD8 T cell (or time after initial antigen-encounter).” | |
| mechanism | Trm Protection by tissue resident memory cells works mainly through sensing and alarm functions in peripheral tissues. — “Trm-mediated protection in peripheral tissues is primarily mediated through sensing and alarm functions.” | mechanisms[0] |
| sense | memory CD8 T cell (functional definition) - memory cells counted by how they differ from naive and effector cells in number, location, readiness and cell state — “To encompass protective capabilities, our definition would need to expand to include quantitative and qualitative aspects of CD8 T cell memory and how these differ from naïve and effector CD8 T cells.” | senses[0] |
| relation | effector memory —same-as→ Tem — Although the number of memory CD8 T cell subsets has expanded (Table 1 ), the first characterization of heterogeneity within a memory CD8 T cell pool of undefined origin in humans described two subsets—CD62L lo /CCR7 lo effector memory (Tem) and CD62L hi /CCR7 hi central memory (Tcm) cells ( 37 ). — “Although the number of memory CD8 T cell subsets has expanded (Table 1 ), the first characterization of heterogeneity within a memory CD8 T cell pool of undefined origin in humans described two subsets—CD62L lo /CCR7 lo effector memory (Tem) and CD62L hi /CCR7 hi central memory (Tcm) cells ( 37 ).” | concept_edges[0] |
| weight | effector memory —same-as→ Tem — 0.9 — “Although the number of memory CD8 T cell subsets has expanded (Table 1 ), the first characterization of heterogeneity within a memory CD8 T cell pool of undefined origin in humans described two subsets—CD62L lo /CCR7 lo effector memory (Tem) and CD62L hi /CCR7 hi central memory (Tcm) cells ( 37 ).” | concept_edges[0] |
| relation | central memory —same-as→ Tcm — Although the number of memory CD8 T cell subsets has expanded (Table 1 ), the first characterization of heterogeneity within a memory CD8 T cell pool of undefined origin in humans described two subsets—CD62L lo /CCR7 lo effector memory (Tem) and CD62L hi /CCR7 hi central memory (Tcm) cells ( 37 ). — “Although the number of memory CD8 T cell subsets has expanded (Table 1 ), the first characterization of heterogeneity within a memory CD8 T cell pool of undefined origin in humans described two subsets—CD62L lo /CCR7 lo effector memory (Tem) and CD62L hi /CCR7 hi central memory (Tcm) cells ( 37 ).” | concept_edges[1] |
| weight | central memory —same-as→ Tcm — 0.9 — “Although the number of memory CD8 T cell subsets has expanded (Table 1 ), the first characterization of heterogeneity within a memory CD8 T cell pool of undefined origin in humans described two subsets—CD62L lo /CCR7 lo effector memory (Tem) and CD62L hi /CCR7 hi central memory (Tcm) cells ( 37 ).” | concept_edges[1] |
| relation | tissue resident memory T cells —same-as→ Trm — Efforts to identify tissue resident memory T cells (Trm) have shown that, unlike circulating cells, Trm cells are not labeled by intravenous injection of antibodies ( 73 ), with the noted exception of liver Trm cells, which are exposed to the circulation ( 74 ). — “Efforts to identify tissue resident memory T cells (Trm) have shown that, unlike circulating cells, Trm cells are not labeled by intravenous injection of antibodies ( 73 ), with the noted exception of liver Trm cells, which are exposed to the circulation ( 74 ).” | concept_edges[2] |
| weight | tissue resident memory T cells —same-as→ Trm — 0.9 — “Efforts to identify tissue resident memory T cells (Trm) have shown that, unlike circulating cells, Trm cells are not labeled by intravenous injection of antibodies ( 73 ), with the noted exception of liver Trm cells, which are exposed to the circulation ( 74 ).” | concept_edges[2] |
| relation | peripheral memory —same-as→ Tpm — Recently, characterization of Tem and Tcm subsets was further refined, and an additional memory subset was described following the identification of Cx3Cr1 int peripheral memory (Tpm) T cells ( 43 ). — “Recently, characterization of Tem and Tcm subsets was further refined, and an additional memory subset was described following the identification of Cx3Cr1 int peripheral memory (Tpm) T cells ( 43 ).” | concept_edges[3] |
| weight | peripheral memory —same-as→ Tpm — 0.9 — “Recently, characterization of Tem and Tcm subsets was further refined, and an additional memory subset was described following the identification of Cx3Cr1 int peripheral memory (Tpm) T cells ( 43 ).” | concept_edges[3] |
| relation | T death intermediate memory —same-as→ Tdim — Of note, the CD62Llo subset is comprised of not only functional, IFN-g producing Tem but also of recently identified T death intermediate memory (Tdim) cells ( 89 ). — “Of note, the CD62Llo subset is comprised of not only functional, IFN-g producing Tem but also of recently identified T death intermediate memory (Tdim) cells ( 89 ).” | concept_edges[4] |
| weight | T death intermediate memory —same-as→ Tdim — 0.9 — “Of note, the CD62Llo subset is comprised of not only functional, IFN-g producing Tem but also of recently identified T death intermediate memory (Tdim) cells ( 89 ).” | concept_edges[4] |
| relation | memory cells —contrasted-with→ effector cells — Despite some similarities between effector and memory CD8 T cells at the molecular, epigenetic, metabolic, and functional levels ( 17 – 23 ), memory cells persist long-term while effector cells undergo robust contraction ( 18 , 24 ), and unlike effector cells they are capable of vigorous proliferation following Ag re-encounter ( 25 ). — “Despite some similarities between effector and memory CD8 T cells at the molecular, epigenetic, metabolic, and functional levels ( 17 – 23 ), memory cells persist long-term while effector cells undergo robust contraction ( 18 , 24 ), and unlike effector cells they are capable of vigorous proliferation following Ag re-encounter ( 25 ).” | concept_edges[5] |
| weight | memory cells —contrasted-with→ effector cells — 0.8 — “Despite some similarities between effector and memory CD8 T cells at the molecular, epigenetic, metabolic, and functional levels ( 17 – 23 ), memory cells persist long-term while effector cells undergo robust contraction ( 18 , 24 ), and unlike effector cells they are capable of vigorous proliferation following Ag re-encounter ( 25 ).” | concept_edges[5] |
| replication | not-applicable | |
| limitation | Subset heterogeneity shows the limits of assigning discrete functions to cells defined by one or two markers. — “Heterogeneity within memory CD8 T cell subsets uncovered by recent subsetting strategies discussed in this review also highlights the limitations of ascribing discrete functions to memory CD8 T cells expressing one or two phenotypic markers.” | limitations[0] |
| limitation | Differences between mice and humans may limit the translational value of mouse research. — “However, differences that exist between mice and humans may limit translational value of mouse research.” | limitations[1] |
finding · quantity · variable · definition · key-term — grounded in the full text| finding | Contrary to earlier descriptions, Tem cells were excluded from tissues and highly represented in the circulation. — “Contrary to previous descriptions as tissue surveyors, Tem cells were excluded from tissues, but were highly represented in the circulation.” | content_tags.findings[0] |
| quantity | >300 days — — “Trm cells in the skin persist for >300 days after infection and are long-lived ( 28 ).” | content_tags.quantities[0] |
| key-terms | memory CD8 T cell, effector memory, central memory, tissue resident memory, peripheral memory, heterogeneity, antigen, outbred mice, immuno-surveillance, subsets |
| concept | memory CD8 T cell — a CD8 T cell that has responded to cognate antigen (Ag) and persists long-term — “At the most basic level, a memory CD8 T cell can be defined as a CD8 T cell that has responded to cognate antigen (Ag) and persists long-term.” | concepts[0] |
| concept | effector memory — not defined in this paper's own words; the memory subset low in the lymph-node homing markers CD62L and CCR7 — “Although the number of memory CD8 T cell subsets has expanded (Table 1 ), the first characterization of heterogeneity within a memory CD8 T cell pool of undefined origin in humans described two subsets—CD62L lo /CCR7 lo effector memory (Tem) and CD62L hi /CCR7 hi central memory (Tcm) cells ( 37 ).” | concepts[1] |
| concept | Tem — effector memory — “Although the number of memory CD8 T cell subsets has expanded (Table 1 ), the first characterization of heterogeneity within a memory CD8 T cell pool of undefined origin in humans described two subsets—CD62L lo /CCR7 lo effector memory (Tem) and CD62L hi /CCR7 hi central memory (Tcm) cells ( 37 ).” | concepts[2] |
| concept | central memory — not defined in this paper's own words; the memory subset high in the lymph-node homing markers CD62L and CCR7 — “Although the number of memory CD8 T cell subsets has expanded (Table 1 ), the first characterization of heterogeneity within a memory CD8 T cell pool of undefined origin in humans described two subsets—CD62L lo /CCR7 lo effector memory (Tem) and CD62L hi /CCR7 hi central memory (Tcm) cells ( 37 ).” | concepts[3] |
| concept | Tcm — central memory — “Although the number of memory CD8 T cell subsets has expanded (Table 1 ), the first characterization of heterogeneity within a memory CD8 T cell pool of undefined origin in humans described two subsets—CD62L lo /CCR7 lo effector memory (Tem) and CD62L hi /CCR7 hi central memory (Tcm) cells ( 37 ).” | concepts[4] |
| concept | tissue resident memory T cells — not defined in this paper's own words; memory T cells that stay permanently in a tissue instead of circulating — “Efforts to identify tissue resident memory T cells (Trm) have shown that, unlike circulating cells, Trm cells are not labeled by intravenous injection of antibodies ( 73 ), with the noted exception of liver Trm cells, which are exposed to the circulation ( 74 ).” | concepts[5] |
| concept | Trm — tissue resident memory T cells — “Efforts to identify tissue resident memory T cells (Trm) have shown that, unlike circulating cells, Trm cells are not labeled by intravenous injection of antibodies ( 73 ), with the noted exception of liver Trm cells, which are exposed to the circulation ( 74 ).” | concepts[6] |
| concept | peripheral memory — not defined in this paper's own words; a memory subset marked by intermediate Cx3Cr1 expression — “Recently, characterization of Tem and Tcm subsets was further refined, and an additional memory subset was described following the identification of Cx3Cr1 int peripheral memory (Tpm) T cells ( 43 ).” | concepts[7] |
| concept | Tpm — peripheral memory — “Recently, characterization of Tem and Tcm subsets was further refined, and an additional memory subset was described following the identification of Cx3Cr1 int peripheral memory (Tpm) T cells ( 43 ).” | concepts[8] |
| concept | T death intermediate memory — not defined in this paper's own words; non-functional memory cells arising from homeostatic proliferation and destined to die — “Of note, the CD62Llo subset is comprised of not only functional, IFN-g producing Tem but also of recently identified T death intermediate memory (Tdim) cells ( 89 ).” | concepts[9] |
| concept | Tdim — T death intermediate memory — “Of note, the CD62Llo subset is comprised of not only functional, IFN-g producing Tem but also of recently identified T death intermediate memory (Tdim) cells ( 89 ).” | concepts[10] |
| concept | memory cells — not defined in this paper's own words; T cells that remain after an immune response has ended — “Despite some similarities between effector and memory CD8 T cells at the molecular, epigenetic, metabolic, and functional levels ( 17 – 23 ), memory cells persist long-term while effector cells undergo robust contraction ( 18 , 24 ), and unlike effector cells they are capable of vigorous proliferation following Ag re-encounter ( 25 ).” | concepts[11] |
| concept | effector cells — not defined in this paper's own words; T cells that act during an ongoing immune response — “Despite some similarities between effector and memory CD8 T cells at the molecular, epigenetic, metabolic, and functional levels ( 17 – 23 ), memory cells persist long-term while effector cells undergo robust contraction ( 18 , 24 ), and unlike effector cells they are capable of vigorous proliferation following Ag re-encounter ( 25 ).” | concepts[12] |
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Defining Memory CD8 T Cellterm·dom.
Abstract CD8 T cells comprising the memory pool display considerable heterogeneityterm·key, with individual cells differing in phenotype and function. This reviewterm·mth will focus on our current understanding of heterogeneityterm·key within the antigen-specific memory CD8 T cellterm·dom compartment and classifications of memory CD8 T cellterm·dom subsetsterm·key with defined and discrete functionalities. Recent data suggest that phenotype and/or function of numerically stable circulatory memory CD8 T cellsterm·dom are defined by the age of memory CD8 T cellterm·dom (or time after initial antigen-encounter). In addition, history of antigenterm·key stimulations has a profound effect on memory CD8 T cellterm·dom populations, suggesting that repeated infections (or vaccination) have the capacity to further shape the memory CD8 T cellterm·dom pool. Finally, genetic background of hosts and history of exposure to diverse microorganisms likely contribute to the observed heterogeneityterm·key in the memory CD8 T cellterm·dom compartment. Extending our tool box and exploring alternative mouse models (i.e., “dirty” and/or outbred miceterm·key) to encompass and better model diversity observed in humans will remain an important goal for the near future that will likely shed new light into the mechanisms that govern biology of memory CD8 T cellsterm·dom.
Introduction At the most basic level, a memory CD8 T cellterm·dom can be defined as a CD8 T cell that has responded to cognate antigenterm·key (Ag) and persists long-term. Such a simple definition does little to account for immune-mediated protection, however, and hosts possessing memory CD8 T cellsterm·dom are often better protected against solid tumors and infection with intracellular bacteria, viruses, and protozoan parasites than their naïve counterparts ( 1 – 8 ). To encompass protective capabilities, our definition would need to expand to include quantitative and qualitative aspects of CD8 T cell memory and how these differ from naïve and effector CD8 T cells. Compared to naïve cells of the same antigen-specificity, memory CD8 T cellsterm·dom persist in greater numbers ( 9 ); can populate peripheral organs ( 10 ); are poised to immediately proliferate, execute cytotoxic functions, and secrete effector cytokines upon Ag re-encounter ( 11 – 16 ); and exist in different metabolic, transcriptional, and epigenetic states ( 17 – 20 ). Despite some similarities between effector and memory CD8 T cellsterm·dom at the molecular, epigenetic, metabolic, and functional levels ( 17 – 23 ), memory cellsterm persist long-term while effector cellsterm undergo robust contraction ( 18 , 24 ), and unlike effector cellsterm they are capable of vigorous proliferation following Ag re-encounter ( 25 ).
Expanding our definition to account for functional differences between naïve, effector, and memory cellsterm helps to clarify why immune hosts are better protected than naïve hosts, but it does not begin to explain why some memory CD8 T cellterm·dom responses are more protective than others. While a correlation between the numbers of memory CD8 T cellsterm·dom and the level of protection is firmly established ( 26 , 27 ), quality (or functional ability) of memory CD8 T cellsterm·dom also determines the degree of memory CD8 T cell-mediated protection. Characteristics of memory CD8 T cellterm·dom responses best-suited to provide protection against infection vary depending upon the nature of the pathogen, and over the past 20 years it has become clear that the memory CD8 T cellterm·dom pool consists of a heterogeneous population of cells that differ in phenotype, function, and protective capacity ( 28 – 34 ). A complete definition of CD8 T cell memory, then, should account for this diversity, and immunologists have categorized cells of distinct functional abilities into subsetsterm·key to better understand memory CD8 T cellterm·dom heterogeneityterm·key. Heterogeneityterm·key within memory CD8 T cellterm·dom subsetsterm·key uncovered by recent subsetting strategies discussed in this reviewterm·mth also highlights the limitations of ascribing discrete functions to memory CD8 T cellsterm·dom expressing one or two phenotypic markers. However, despite these limitations, current subsetterm·key classifications do provide valuable predictive information on the likelihood that cells of a given phenotype will be able to perform a defined function in response to a particular pathogen.
CD8 T cells of memory phenotype and function can arise in response to self-peptide and/or in a lymphopenic environment in response to cytokines that trigger homeostatic proliferation (“virtual” and “innate” memory) ( 35 , 36 ). However, this reviewterm·mth will focus solely on memory CD8 T cellsterm·dom generated in response to infection. Specifically, we will discuss (1) current subsetterm·key classifications of memory CD8 T cellsterm·dom, (2) how subsetterm·key composition is shaped following time after infection and upon additional Ag encounters, (3) how memory CD8 T cellterm·dom subsetsterm·key in humans compare to those in mice, and (4) how mouse studies that better model human biology inform our knowledge of memory CD8 T cellterm·dom biology.
Memory CD8T cell subsetsterm·key Effector (Temterm·dom) and central (Tcmterm·dom) memory Although the number of memory CD8 T cellterm·dom subsetsterm·key has expanded (Table 1 ), the first characterization of heterogeneityterm·key within a memory CD8 T cellterm·dom pool of undefined origin in humans described two subsetsterm·key—CD62L lo /CCR7 lo effector memoryterm·dom (Temterm·dom) and CD62L hi /CCR7 hi central memoryterm·dom (Tcmterm·dom) cells ( 37 ). Expression of CCR7 and CD62L on Tcmterm·dom cells facilitates homing to secondary lymphoid organs, while Temterm·dom cells are more cytolytic and express integrins and chemokine receptors necessary for localization to inflamed tissues ( 37 ). This description led to the paradigm that the memory CD8 T cellterm·dom population consists of specialized cells that uniquely participate in the immune response to confer host protection. Mechanistic studies in mice showed that Temterm·dom cells were more prevalent in tissues, while Tcmterm·dom cells were more prevalent in lymph nodes and better equipped to persist following infection and to produce IL-2 and proliferate in response to Ag ( 30 ). Transcription factors promote the development and function of Temterm·dom and Tcmterm·dom cells, and T-bet, Blimp1, ID2, and STAT4 expression is associated with Temterm·dom cells, while Eomes, TCF1, BCL-6, ID3, and STAT3 expression is associated with Tcmterm·dom cells ( 38 – 42 , 45 – 42 ). Tcmterm·dom cells provide enhanced protection against chronic infection with LCMV-clone 13 ( 30 ), while Temterm·dom cells provide superior protection against infection with vaccinia virus, and in some instances Listeria monocytogenes ( 31 , 63 ). These studies led to the hypothesis that Tcmterm·dom cells are specialized to handle systemic infections due to their centralized location within secondary lymphoid organs and superior proliferative abilities, and that Temterm·dom are specialized to handle infections arising within peripheral organs due to their cytotoxicity and ability to localize to tissues.
Memory CD8 T cellterm·dom subsetsterm·key.
With identification of memory subsetsterm·key came questions of when CD8 T cells of discrete function form during a response and how effector cellsterm survive to populate the heterogeneous memory CD8 T cellterm·dom pool. Interleukin 7 is required for the survival of naïve cells and promotes the survival of memory CD8 T cellsterm·dom ( 64 ), and initial reports suggested that the expression of CD127, the alpha chain of the IL-7 receptor, could be used to identify memory precursor effector cellsterm (MPECs) that display increased ability to form long-lived memory cellsterm and short-lived effector cellsterm (SLECs) that are poor at giving rise to long-lived memory cellsterm ( 65 ). Additional studies suggested that expression of costimulatory molecule CD27, could identify effector cellsterm that were more likely to survive contraction ( 66 ). Later, expression of KLRG1 in addition to CD127 was used to identify SLECs (CD127 − /KLRG1 + ) and MPECs (CD127 + /KLRG1 − ) ( 38 ). However, despite promoting survival of effector CD8 T cells to memory, CD127 expression and IL-7 signaling are not sufficient to drive formation of memory CD8 T cellsterm·dom, as forced expression of CD127 expression did not rescue survival of KLRG1 hi cells into memory ( 67 ). In addition, priming of naïve CD8 T cells in low inflammatory environment (ex. peptide-DC immunization) will generate CD127 expressing effector CD8 T cells prone to vigorous contraction ( 25 , 68 ). Of note, displaying the expression pattern of markers used to identify SLECs (CD127 − /KLRG1 + ) does not absolutely preclude long-term memory formation, as a small percentage of CD127 − /KLRG1 + cells can be found months after infection ( 69 , 70 ). Thus, the expression pattern of CD127 and CD27 on effector CD8 T cells mark cells with differential probability to survive contraction, but also highlights the notion that those markers cannot be used with certainty to predict effector cellsterm that will become long-lived CD8 T cell memory.
Tissue resident memoryterm·key (Trmterm·dom) Tissue surveillance was a function first ascribed to circulating Temterm·dom cells ( 71 ). However, elegant parabiosis experiments have made it clear that some cells within tissues are not circulating, but are permanent residents ( 50 , 51 , 72 ). Efforts to identify tissue resident memory T cellsterm·dom (Trmterm·dom) have shown that, unlike circulating cells, Trmterm·dom cells are not labeled by intravenous injection of antibodies ( 73 ), with the noted exception of liver Trmterm·dom cells, which are exposed to the circulation ( 74 ). In addition to tissue residence, Trmterm·dom cells often are identified based on expression of integrins CD103 and CD49a, which aid in tissue entry ( 52 , 53 ), and CD69, which promotes tissue retention ( 54 ). However, expression of these proteins can vary depending on tissue of residence. Trmterm·dom cells are also described as expressing CXCR3 and lacking expression of KLRG1, CCR7, and CD62L, and having intermediate or low expression of Cx3Cr1 ( 33 , 43 , 52 ). However, it was recently reported that cells that previously expressed KLRG1 can form Trmterm·dom cells, and such ex-KLRG1 cells may delineate heterogeneityterm·key within the Trmterm·dom population, as they express higher levels of granzymeB than Trmterm·dom cells that never expressed KLRG1 ( 75 ). Responsiveness to TGF-β in most cases is necessary for Trmterm·dom development ( 55 , 76 ), and expression of transcription factors play an important role in promoting TGF-β responsiveness and retention of Trmterm·dom cells within tissues. Transcriptionally, Trmterm·dom cells are noted for reduced expression of KLF2 and Eomes ( 55 , 56 ), low expression of T-bet and TCF1 ( 55 , 57 ), and elevated expression of Hobit and Blimp1 ( 57 ). Trm-mediated protection in peripheral tissues is primarily mediated through sensing and alarm functions. This requires Ag recognition and IFN-γ production by Trmterm·dom cells, results in global modification of gene expression within inflamed tissues and increased expression of chemokine ligands, and promotes recruitment and effector functions of cells of the innate and adaptive immune system ( 58 , 77 – 79 ). Trmterm·dom cells provide protection against diverse microorganisms in an array of tissues including the lungs ( 33 ), salivary glands ( 80 , 81 ), female reproductive tract ( 58 , 78 ), skin ( 28 ), and liver ( 74 ). Because of this, attempts to generate Trmterm·dom cells with site-directed vaccinations are being pursued.
Tcmterm·dom, Temterm·dom, and peripheral memoryterm·dom (Tpmterm·dom) subsetsterm·key based upon Cx3Cr1 expression Recently, characterization of Temterm·dom and Tcmterm·dom subsetsterm·key was further refined, and an additional memory subsetterm·key was described following the identification of Cx3Cr1 int peripheral memoryterm·dom (Tpmterm·dom) T cells ( 43 ). Staining for CD27 or CXCR3 and Cx3Cr1 (fractalkine receptor) permits identification of Cx3Cr1 − , Cx3Cr1 int , and Cx3Cr1 hi populations at a memory time point. Cx3Cr1 hi cells do not migrate toward CCR7 ligand CCL19, do not re-express CD62L, are absent in lymph nodes but abundant in the circulation and tissues, proliferate and produce IL-2 poorly in response to Ag, and are efficient killers of target cells. These characteristics overlap with Temterm·dom cells and imply that expression of Cx3Cr1 may identify a homogeneous Temterm·dom population. Conversely, Cx3Cr1 − and Cx3Cr1 int populations are found in the lymph nodes and migrate in response to CCL19, suggesting that expression of Cx3Cr1 can be used to distinguish two populations among cells that would be defined as Tcmterm·dom cells. Cx3Cr1 − cells display characteristics of classically defined Tcmterm·dom cells in that they are more prevalent in lymph nodes, re-acquire CD62L faster and to a greater extent, and are better producers of IL-2 but less cytotoxic than Cx3Cr1 int cells. Therefore, Cx3Cr1 may allow identification of a more homogeneous population of Tcmterm·dom cells. While the majority of Cx3Cr1 − cells express CD62L 1 year after infection, approximately half of Cx3Cr1 int cells express CD62L, and formation of Cx3Cr1 int cells is reduced but not eliminated in T-bet deficient mice, suggesting further heterogeneityterm·key within the Tpmterm·dom population. This distinction may be important, as a large percentage of inflationary memory CD8 T cellsterm·dom in mice and humans generated in response to adenovirus-vectored vaccines or natural cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection are Cx3Cr1 int ( 82 ), and it was suggested that a CD62L hi /Cx3Cr1 + population within the lymph nodes is important in providing protection against chronic infection ( 61 ). Importantly, Temterm·dom, Tcmterm·dom, and Tpmterm·dom populations identified based on Cx3Cr1 expression display different migratory patterns ( 43 ). Contrary to previous descriptions as tissue surveyors, Temterm·dom cells were excluded from tissues, but were highly represented in the circulation. Instead, the tissue surveyor role was ascribed to Tpmterm·dom cells, which could traffic to the tissues and return to lymph nodes via afferent lymphatics. These data call for a refinement to the hypothesis of the role of memory CD8 T cellterm·dom subsetsterm·key in providing host protection and suggest that immuno-surveillanceterm·key is mediated by discrete actions of Temterm·dom cells, which are cytotoxic and present in the circulation and can be easily recruited to sites of inflammation; Tcmterm·dom cells, which are centrally localized within lymph nodes and are highly proliferative following Ag re-encounter; Trmterm·dom cells, which respond to infections arising in peripheral tissues and proliferate and recruit other immune cells following infection; and Tpmterm·dom cells, which survey peripheral tissues and may be important for mediating protection against chronic infections.
Additional memory cellterm subsetterm·key classifications Classifications of memory CD8 T cellsterm·dom into, Temterm·dom, Tcmterm·dom, Trmterm·dom, and Tpmterm·dom subsetsterm·key informs our understanding of immuno-surveillanceterm·key provided by CD8 T cells of discrete functionality, but it does not capture the complete diversity within the memory CD8 T cellterm·dom pool. Additional subsetsterm·key have been described based upon expression of CD27 and CD43, a glycosylated form of sialic acid ( 32 , 62 ). CD27 lo /CD43 lo memory cellsterm are KLRG1 hi , CD127 lo , T-bet hi , and Eomes lo ( 32 ), an expression pattern that overlaps with, but is not identical to either Temterm·dom or Trmterm·dom cells. Importantly, CD27 lo /CD43 lo memory cellsterm provide superior protection against Sendai virus and Listeria monocytogenes infection, perhaps due to an ability to localize to tissues. Thus, Temterm·dom, Tcmterm·dom, Trmterm·dom, and Tpmterm·dom classification does not completely capture memory CD8 T cellterm·dom diversity. Examination of additional markers may improve resolution of existing subsetsterm·key and expand the number of identifiable subsetsterm·key in the future, and lead to an improved understanding of memory CD8 T cell-mediated immuno-surveillanceterm·key.
Effects of time and ag-encounters on memory CD8T cell pool composition Time Long-lived hosts can re-encounter pathogens at any time, and studies have indicated that the phenotype, function, and protective abilities of Ag-specific memory CD8 T cellsterm·dom change with time following infection. The percentage of circulating pathogen-specific memory CD8 T cellsterm·dom expressing CD27 and CD62L increases with time after infection, ( 30 , 83 – 85 ), and the percentage expressing Cx3Cr1 decreases ( 43 , 75 ), indicating that representation of Tcmterm·dom cells among pathogen-specific memory CD8 T cellsterm·dom increases with time after infection. As would be expected of Tcmterm·dom cells, aged or late memory cellsterm proliferate and produce IL-2 to a greater extent than early memory cellsterm in response to Ag ( 69 , 70 , 86 , 87 ), and provide enhanced protection against chronic viral infection ( 69 , 70 ). Changes observed in late memory cellsterm extended beyond phenotype and functions normally attributed to Tcmterm·dom cells, including increased ability to up-regulate expression of FasL and CD40L and to produce XCL1; decreased expression of many cytokine and chemokine receptors including IL-10R, components of IL-12R and IL-18R, CCR2, and CCR5; and decreased ability to produce IFN-g in response to inflammatory cues in the absence of cognate antigenterm·key recognition (bystander activation) ( 70 , 88 ). Strikingly, phenotypic heterogeneityterm·key of Tcmterm·dom cells was diminished with time after infection, and progressive changes in transcriptomic, phenotypic, and metabolic profiles of Tcmterm·dom cells indicated an improved proliferative capacity of Tcmterm·dom cells with time after infection, leading to an increased ability to provide protection against LCMV-clone 13 infection ( 69 ). In contrast, the percentage of CD62L lo cells decreases with time after infection ( 69 , 70 , 83 , 84 ), indicating decreased representation of Temterm·dom cells. Of note, the CD62Llo subsetterm·key is comprised of not only functional, IFN-g producing Temterm·dom but also of recently identified T death intermediate memoryterm·dom (Tdimterm·dom) cells ( 89 ). Tdimterm·dom arise from the process of memory CD8 T cellterm·dom homeostatic proliferation, are non-functional, and are destined to die, ( 89 ) and their representation increases among CD62Llo Temterm·dom subsetterm·key with time after infection ( 69 ).
Like Temterm·dom cells, numbers of Tpmterm·dom cells decrease initially after infection, but following an initial period of decline, they are maintained at stable numbers ( 43 ). However, the percentage of CD62L hi Tpmterm·dom cells increases with time after infection. Few studies have examined the properties of long-term Trmterm·dom cells, and it is unclear how the functions of Trmterm·dom cells are affected by time. Trmterm·dom cells in the skin persist for >300 days after infection and are long-lived ( 28 ). However, influenza-specific Trmterm·dom cells in the lungs are shorter-lived ( 90 ) and require replenishment by circulating CD62Llo memory cellsterm ( 91 ). Together, these studies indicate that with time after infection, the circulating Ag-specific memory CD8 T cellterm·dom population is comprised of a more homogeneous population of Tcmterm·dom cells with enhanced proliferative capacity, which impacts host CD8 T cell-mediated protection against infection (Figure 1 ).
Phenotypic and functional changes within the circulating Ag-specific CD8 T cell pool with time after infection and with additional Ag encounters. Following infection or vaccination, rare naïve CD8 T cells that recognize their cognate Ag robustly proliferate and give rise to an effector CD8 T cell population. Following contraction of the effector pool, memory CD8 T cellsterm·dom are stably maintained at numbers greater than the naïve pool. Upon re-infection or booster vaccination, primary memory CD8 T cellsterm·dom proliferate and generate a secondary effector and memory CD8 T cellterm·dom pool that is larger in size than the primary memory pool. Properties of cells comprising the Ag-specific CD8 T cell pool, including expression of phenotypic markers and subsetterm·key representation, ability to traffic to and localize within tissues, ability to execute effector functions, and ability to provide protection against infection with diverse pathogens differ between naïve, effector, and memory CD8 T cellsterm·dom, and among memory CD8 T cellsterm·dom of different age relative to initial Ag-encounter and of different number of Ag-encounters. – symbols indicate reduced quantity or ability, while + symbols indicate increased quantity or ability. a Virtual and/or innate memory cellsterm within the naïve CD8 T cell pool are not considered here.
Ag-encounters Hosts are often exposed to the same pathogens throughout life, and prime-boost vaccination protocols intended to increase memory cellterm numbers result in memory CD8 T cellsterm·dom that have encountered Ag multiple times. Initial experiments utilizing adoptive transfer of purified TCR transgenic or tetramer positive memory cellsterm of known Ag-encounter history showed that additional Ag-encounters result in decreased representation of circulating memory CD8 T cellsterm·dom expressing CD62L, CD27, and CD127, and increased representation of cells expressing KLRG1 and GranzymeB ( 83 , 84 ) (Figure 1 ). Phenotype of secondary memory CD8 T cellsterm·dom is also greatly impacted by systemic inflammation elicited during the infection/vaccination ( 92 ). Successive Ag-encounters also result in stepwise changes in transcriptomic signature of memory CD8 T cellsterm·dom, but not in progressive enrichment in Temterm·dom associated genes ( 93 ), suggesting that additional Ag-encounters result in generation of a more transcriptionally diverse Temterm·dom population. Differences in memory CD8 T cellterm·dom composition and function with additional Ag-encounters translate to differential ability to provide protection against re-infection, with memory CD8 T cellsterm·dom that have encountered Ag multiple times being more protective against re-infection with Listeria monocytogenes , LCMV-Armstrong, and Vaccinia Virus, and less protective against re-infection with MHV and LCMV-clone 13 ( 29 ). However, recurrent homologous boosting preserves numerical stability and increases phenotypic and functional complexity of the memory CD8 T cellterm·dom pool ( 94 ), and sequential heterologous infection results in a pool of Ag-specific memory CD8 T cellsterm·dom with a phenotypic profile reflective of Tcmterm·dom cells that are metabolically fit, proliferate robustly following re-infection, and provide protection against LCMV-clone 13 ( 34 ). Although homologous and heterologous infection strategies likely result in mixed memory populations with cells that have encountered Ag a different number of times, and thus are not reflective of pure memory populations of known number of Ag-encounters, they may more accurately reflect sequential infections in humans.
Recent examinations of Trmterm·dom cells that re-encounter Ag have shown that Trmterm·dom cells proliferate within tissues and contribute to formation of secondary Trmterm·dom cells ( 95 , 96 ), and can migrate to, and form Trmterm·dom populations within tissue-draining lymph nodes ( 97 ). Importantly, although Ag-exposure history defines CD8 T cell dynamics and protection during localized pulmonary infections ( 98 ) lung Trmterm·dom derived from repeatedly stimulated influenza-specific circulatory memory CD8 T cellsterm·dom exhibit extended durability and protective heterosubtypic immunity relative to primary lung Trmterm·dom ( 99 ). Parabiosis studies reveal that repeated antigenterm·key encounters resulted in generation of long-lasting circulating effector memoryterm·dom (Temterm·dom) cells that maintained their ability to be recruited to the lung parenchyma and converted to Trmterm·dom ( 99 ). Thus, successive Ag-encounters also results in diversification of the Trmterm·dom subsetterm·key, which impacts their ability to provide protection against subsequent infections arising at peripheral locations.
Memory CD8T cell heterogeneityterm·key and subsetsterm·key in humans Humans are exposed to an array of infections throughout life and often re-encounter the same infection. Additionally, it is often difficult to determine precisely when infection was encountered, and due to obvious difficulties in acquiring human tissue samples, the majority of human studies rely on analysis of CD8 T cells in peripheral blood. These considerations have presented difficulties for examining memory CD8 T cellsterm·dom of known age relative to Ag-encounter and of known number of Ag-encounters in humans, but recent studies have provided insight into subsetterm·key composition and heterogeneityterm·key present within the memory CD8 T cellterm·dom population of humans. Most human studies rely on analysis of bulk CD8 T cell populations, and similar to mice, Tcmterm·dom and Temterm·dom subsetsterm·key can be identified in humans, along with a terminally differentiated subsetterm·key that expresses CD45RA (Temra). Initial characterization of these subsetsterm·key was based on expression of CD45RA and CD27 ( 44 ), while later studies distinguished Temterm·dom and Tcmterm·dom subsetsterm·key based upon expression of CCR7 ( 37 ), and staining for CD45RA and either CD27 or CCR7 identifies naïve (CD45RA + /CD27 + /CCR7 + ), Temterm·dom (CD45RA − /CD27 − /CCR7 − ), Tcmterm·dom (CD45RA − /CD27 + /CCR7 + ), and Temra (CD45RA + /CD27 − /CCR7 − ) CD8 T cells. Memory CD8 T cellsterm·dom of distinct phenotypes accumulate with age, and accumulation of Temra cells in humans is influenced by chronic infections, such as CMV ( 100 , 101 ).
Recent studies with organ donors of diverse ages have provided some clarity on the compartmentalization of human memory subsetsterm·key, describing large populations of Trmterm·dom cells, and regional surveillance by Temterm·dom, Tcmterm·dom, and Temra cells that varied depending on the tissue and were not reflective of subsetterm·key representation within the blood ( 59 , 60 ). As in mice, protection against infection is likely mediated by cells of discrete phenotype and function that cannot be fully described based upon classification of Temterm·dom, Tcmterm·dom, Temra, and Trmterm·dom subsetsterm·key. Recently, human memory subsetsterm·key were described based on Cx3Cr1 expression, and a highly cytotoxic Cx3Cr1 + /CD62L + subsetterm·key that resides within the lymph node was suggested to be important for mediating protection against chronic infections including CMV ( 61 ).
Due to the endemic nature of most pathogens that humans are vaccinated against, it is difficult to examine Ag-specific memory CD8 cells of known age relative to initial activation and number of Ag-encounters in humans. However, experiments with vaccines for small pox and yellow fever virus (YFV), which are not endemic within the United States, have allowed for examination of primary memory CD8 T cellsterm·dom of known age relative to initial Ag-encounter. Expression of CD45RA, CD127, and CCR7 on Ag-specific memory CD8 T cellsterm·dom increased, while expression of perforin and granzymeB decreased with time after infection, suggesting that similar to mice, representation of Tcmterm·dom cells within the Ag-specific human memory CD8 T cellterm·dom population increases with time after infection ( 22 , 102 ). However, while cytotoxic functions of memory CD8 T cellsterm·dom appeared to decrease with time after infection based upon expression of perforin and granzymeB at steady state, memory cellsterm retained open chromatin configurations at locations relevant for cytotoxicity and cytokine production, suggesting that genes encoding for effector functions are readily open for transcription following Ag re-encounter ( 19 , 22 ). Recent reports in mice have also shown dynamic epigenetic regulation of genes driving CD8 T cell localization and function during differing differentiation states ( 23 ). DNA methylation patterns of Sell (the gene encoding CD62L) were restrictive in effector cellsterm, but demethylated in naïve and memory cellsterm. Conversely, GzmB (the gene encoding granzymeB) displayed restrictive methylation patterns in naïve cells, but were demethylated in effector cellsterm and memory precursor cells ( 23 ). These recent studies have indicated that, as in mice, the memory CD8 T cellterm·dom pool in humans is composed of subsetsterm·key with discrete functionalities, and subsetterm·key composition likely impacts host immuno-surveillanceterm·key in response to diverse pathogens.
CD8T cell responses in alternative mouse models Human studies have pointed to many similarities between CD8 T cell responses in mice and humans. However, differences that exist between mice and humans may limit translational value of mouse research. Recent efforts to extend mouse models outside of traditional inbred mice housed in specific pathogen free (SPF) facilities have provided valuable insight into CD8 T cell biology. In contrast to the CD8 T cell compartment of SPF laboratory mice, which consists primarily of naïve T cells and is similar to that of a neonatal human, sequential infections with common pathogens or co-housing laboratory mice with wild/pet store (“dirty”) mice generates a CD8 T cell compartment that is similar to adult humans and is comprised of a large number of Ag-experienced CD8 T cells with increased representation of cells in peripheral tissues ( 103 ). Additionally, a greater percentage of memory phenotype CD8 T cells of “dirty mice” displayed phenotypic markers expressed by Temterm·dom cells and were more cytolytic than memory phenotype cells of SPF laboratory mice ( 103 ). De novo immune responses in “dirty mice” resulted in reduced Ab production compared to SPF mice, and displayed transcriptional similarities to adult human blood in contrast to SPF mice, which displayed transcriptional similarities to neonatal humans ( 103 , 104 ). Furthermore, memory CD8 T cellsterm·dom of “dirty mice” that developed following infection with Listeria monocytogenes were more skewed toward a SLEC phenotype compared to SPF mice, and “dirty mice” were better protected against infection with Listeria and Plasmodium berghei ( 103 ). These studies suggest that “dirty mice” may more closely model the immune system of adult humans, and that history of pathogen exposure shapes the immune system and impacts phenotype of memory CD8 T cellsterm·dom generated and protection provided following de novo infection. Future studies should more closely examine the innate and adaptive immune factors that are shaped following sequential infection with unrelated pathogens, and how these interact to generate a qualitatively different CD8 T cell response following de novo infection.
Additional insight has been gained from studies utilizing outbred miceterm·key to model genetic diversity present in the human population. Ag-driven changes in expression of CD8α and CD11a have been used as “surrogate activation markers” approach to track pathogen-specific CD8 T cell responses to infection in outbred miceterm·key without a priori knowledge of MHC class I restriction and/or specific epitopes ( 105 ). Data revealed that compared to uniformity in size of the effector and memory responses generated in inbred mice, magnitude of effector and memory CD8 T cellterm·dom responses are highly variable in individual outbred miceterm·key ( 105 , 106 ). Furthermore, while memory CD8 T cellsterm·dom in inbred mice progressed linearly from a Temterm·dom to Tcmterm·dom phenotype with time, percentages of memory cellsterm expressing Tcmterm·dom markers (CD62L hi , CD27 hi , CD127 hi , KLRG-1 lo ) did not increase or increased very slowly with time after infection in some outbred miceterm·key ( 106 ). Importantly, differences in CD8 T cell responses generated to a primary infection in outbred miceterm·key led to differences in CD8 T cell-mediated protection provided against a secondary infection, and degree of protection did not always correlate with size of the memory CD8 T cellterm·dom pool prior to secondary infection ( 105 , 106 ). These studies suggest that vaccine strategies that generate a memory CD8 T cellterm·dom pool of sufficient size and quality to provide protection against re-infection in inbred mice may not generate a protective memory CD8 T cellterm·dom response in all outbred miceterm·key, a finding that has direct relevance to the outbred human population.
Differences in memory CD8 T cellterm·dom response size and phenotype following infection in individual outbred miceterm·key could have been caused by a number of immunologic factors including differences in cells of the innate compartment or differences in Th bias of the CD4 T cell compartment. However, underlying causes for divergent CD8 T cell-mediated immune outcomes were unable to be fully explored in the studies discussed due to a lack of tools available for study in outbred miceterm·key. Collaborative cross mice, a recombinant inbred panel of mice that displays vast genetic diversity due to unique inheritance from eight founder strains ( 107 , 108 ), and diversity outbred miceterm·key, which are generated by outcrossing collaborative cross strains at various stages of the inbreeding process ( 109 ), may prove to be useful models for deciphering the answers to this question. Studies with collaborative cross mice have revealed a range of immune cell composition, phenotype, and function among strains prior to infection that is more representative of the human population ( 110 ), and post-infection outcomes relevant to the human population that are not observed in traditional inbred mice ( 111 ). Genetic tools uniquely suited for collaborative cross mice, including quantitative trait locus mapping (QTL) ( 112 ), may provide additional insight into factors underlying divergent memory CD8 T cellterm·dom outcomes in genetically diverse organisms, and how memory CD8 T cellsterm·dom of diverse phenotype and function arise and participate in immune-mediated protection against re-infection.
Conclusion Protection against diverse pathogens that have evolved for unique interactions with hosts, different points of host entry, and colonization and replication within particular host cells requires a diverse and adaptable immune system. Heterogeneous memory CD8 T cellsterm·dom that can persist in and localize to different areas within the host, and that are functionally adapted to respond in discrete ways within their host niche, contribute to the diversity and adaptability needed to efficiently provide host immuno-surveillanceterm·key. The effects of time following infection and additional Ag encounters further shape diversity of the memory CD8 T cellterm·dom pool, which impacts efficacy of CD8 T cell-mediated protection against re-infection. Efforts to subsetterm·key memory CD8 T cellsterm·dom have informed our knowledge of how CD8 T cells with discrete functionalities contribute to host immuno-surveillanceterm·key against diverse microbial pathogens, and improved animal models that more accurately reflect the human immune system may improve our understanding of the origins and functions of memory CD8 T cellsterm·dom of diverse phenotype and improve translational value of current animal studies.
Author contributions All authors listed have made a substantial, direct and intellectual contribution to the work, and approved it for publication.
Conflict of interest statement The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.