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 language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 61-70 |
Number of pages | 10 |
Journal | Journal of Experimental Medicine |
Volume | 188 |
Issue number | 1 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 6 Jul 1998 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Cytotoxic T lymphocytes
- Effector/memory T cells
- Listeria monocytogenes
- Recall
- T cell receptor repertoire