Keeping T cell memories in mind. Issue 12 (December 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Mix, Madison R.; Harty, John T.
• Is Part Of: Trends in immunology. Volume 43:Issue 12(2022)
• Page Start: 1018
• Page End: 1031
• Publication Date: 2022-12
• Subjects: tissue resident memory T cell -- adaptive immunity -- memory CD8 T cell -- memory CD4 T cell -- central nervous system -- neuroimmune interactions; Immunology -- Periodicals; 571.96
• DOI: 10.1016/j.it.2022.10.001
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1471-4906

Abstract

Highlights: Tissue-resident memory (TRM ) T cells embed in the mammalian central nervous system (CNS) to provide long-term immune surveillance. TRM exhibit pleotropic roles in the settings of neurological health and disease. Young, naïve mice do not possess robust memory T cell populations. Emerging mammalian models of memory T cell generation have elucidated events that may establish TRM in the human CNS. TRM seed distinct niches of the CNS and may acquire unique properties based on neuroanatomical localization. Cytokine and inhibitory receptor signaling may promote long-term maintenance at these sites. TRM may elicit protective or pathologic sequelae in the CNS through antigen recognition or bystander activation. Developing therapeutics that target pre-seeded TRM populations in the CNS may offer greater promise than strategies that modulate T cell infiltration retroactively. Significance: Tissue-resident memory (TRM ) T cells have emerging roles for neurological protection and pathology based on how, where, and why they were generated in the central nervous system. Abstract: The mammalian central nervous system (CNS) contains a vibrant community of resident adaptive immune cells at homeostasis. Among these are memory CD8 + and CD4 + T cells, which reside in the CNS in the settings of health, aging, and neurological disease. These T cells commonly exhibit a tissue-resident memory (TRM ) phenotype, suggesting that they are antigen-experienced and remain separate from the circulation. Despite these characterizations, T cell surveillance of the CNS has only recently been studied through the lens of TRM immunology. In this Review, we outline emerging concepts of CNS TRM generation, localization, maintenance, function, and specificity. In this way, we hope to highlight roles of CNS TRM in health and disease to inform future studies of adaptive neuroimmunity.