[PDF][PDF] Competition for active TGFβ cytokine allows for selective retention of antigen-specific tissue-resident memory T cells in the epidermal niche

T Hirai, Y Yang, Y Zenke, H Li, VK Chaudhri, S Jacinto… - Immunity, 2021 - cell.com
T Hirai, Y Yang, Y Zenke, H Li, VK Chaudhri, S Jacinto, PY Zhou, BAT Nguyen, L Bartholin…
Immunity, 2021cell.com
Following antigen-driven expansion in lymph node, transforming growth factor-β (TGFβ) is
required for differentiation of skin-recruited CD8+ T cell effectors into epidermal resident
memory T (Trm) cells and their epidermal persistence. We found that the source of TGFβ-
supporting Trm cells was autocrine. In addition, antigen-specific Trm cells that encountered
cognate antigen in the skin, and bystander Trm cells that did not, both displayed long-term
persistence in the epidermis under steady-state conditions. However, when the active-TGFβ …
Summary
Following antigen-driven expansion in lymph node, transforming growth factor-β (TGFβ) is required for differentiation of skin-recruited CD8+ T cell effectors into epidermal resident memory T (Trm) cells and their epidermal persistence. We found that the source of TGFβ -supporting Trm cells was autocrine. In addition, antigen-specific Trm cells that encountered cognate antigen in the skin, and bystander Trm cells that did not, both displayed long-term persistence in the epidermis under steady-state conditions. However, when the active-TGFβ was limited or when new T cell clones were recruited into the epidermis, antigen-specific Trm cells were more efficiently retained than bystander Trm cells. Genetically enforced TGFβR signaling allowed bystander Trm cells to persist in the epidermis as efficiently as antigen-specific Trm cells in both contexts. Thus, competition between T cells for active TGFβ represents an unappreciated selective pressure that promotes the accumulation and persistence of antigen-specific Trm cells in the epidermal niche.
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