Function and regulation of memory CD4 T cells

Immunol Res. 1999;19(2-3):127-41. doi: 10.1007/BF02786482.

Abstract

The development of peripheral naive CD4 T cells is dependent on the success of positive selection of immature T cells in the thymus. Only thymocytes that express a T cell receptor (TCR) capable of recognizing self-MHC with low affinity are selected for survival and differentiation into mature naive T cells. Although the TCR of naive T cells has to maintain self-tolerance, it also propagates naive CD4 T cell proliferation on recognition of appropriate foreign peptide associated with MHC class II on antigen-presenting cells (APCs). Naive CD4 T cells that successfully engage foreign peptide undergo further differentiation that leads to the maturation of a select few into the memory T cell pool. Although the requirements that lead to memory T cell development are currently not known, functional changes have been described that are thought to be associated with the greater efficiency with which memory T cells respond to antigen. This article will discuss differences associated with signaling through the TCR of naive and memory CD4 T cells and describe unique control mechanisms imposed on memory CD4 T cells that are likely to have ari sen to counterbalance the altered TCR signaling.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Abatacept
  • Animals
  • Antigen-Presenting Cells / physiology
  • Antigens, CD
  • Antigens, Differentiation / physiology
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • CTLA-4 Antigen
  • Cell Differentiation
  • Immunoconjugates*
  • Immunologic Memory*
  • Mice
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / physiology*
  • Signal Transduction*
  • T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / physiology

Substances

  • Antigens, CD
  • Antigens, Differentiation
  • CTLA-4 Antigen
  • Ctla4 protein, mouse
  • Immunoconjugates
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell
  • Abatacept