Evolution of a complex T cell receptor repertoire during primary and recall bacterial infection

Dirk H. Busch, Ingrid Pilip, Eric G. Pamer

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

174 Scopus citations

Abstract

The mechanisms underlying the genesis and maintenance oft cell memory remain unclear. In this study, we examined the evolution of a complex, antigen-specific T cell population during the transition from primary effector to memory T cells after Listeria monocytogenes infection. T cell populations specific for listeriolysin O (LLO)91-99 the immunodominant epitope recognized by H2-K(d)-restricted T lymphocytes, were directly identified in immune spleens using tetrameric H2-K(d)-epitope complexes. The T cell receptor (TCR) Vβ repertoire of specific T cells was determined by direct, ex vivo staining with a panel of mAbs. We demonstrate that LLO91- 99-specific, primary effector T cell populations have a diverse TCR Vβ repertoire. Analyses of memory T cell populations demonstrated similar TCR diversity. Furthermore, experiments with individual mice demonstrated that primary effector and memory T cells have indistinguishable TCR repertoires. Remarkably, after reinfection with L. monocytogenes, LLO91-99-specific T cells have a narrower TCR repertoire than do primary effector or memory T cells. Thus, our studies show that the TCR repertoire of primary effector T lymphocytes is uniformly transmitted to memory T cells, whereas expansion of memory T cells is selective.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)61-70
Number of pages10
JournalJournal of Experimental Medicine
Volume188
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - 6 Jul 1998
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Cytotoxic T lymphocytes
  • Effector/memory T cells
  • Listeria monocytogenes
  • Recall
  • T cell receptor repertoire

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