Defective CD8 T cell memory following acute infection without CD4 T cell help

JC Sun, MJ Bevan - Science, 2003 - science.org
JC Sun, MJ Bevan
Science, 2003science.org
The CD8+ cytotoxic T cell response to pathogens is thought to be CD4+ helper T cell
independent because infectious agents provide their own inflammatory signals. Mice that
lack CD4+ T cells mount a primary CD8 response to Listeria monocytogenes equal to that of
wild-type mice and rapidly clear the infection. However, protective memory to a challenge is
gradually lost in the former animals. Memory CD8+ T cells from normal mice can respond
rapidly, but memory CD8+ T cells that are generated without CD4 help are defective in their …
The CD8+ cytotoxic T cell response to pathogens is thought to be CD4+ helper T cell independent because infectious agents provide their own inflammatory signals. Mice that lack CD4+ T cells mount a primary CD8 response toListeria monocytogenes equal to that of wild-type mice and rapidly clear the infection. However, protective memory to a challenge is gradually lost in the former animals. Memory CD8+ T cells from normal mice can respond rapidly, but memory CD8+ T cells that are generated without CD4 help are defective in their ability to respond to secondary encounters with antigen. The results highlight a previously undescribed role for CD4 help in promoting protective CD8 memory development.
AAAS