Distinguishing innate memory CD8+ T from homeostatically expanded CD8+ T cells

Innate memory phenotype (IMP) CD8+ T cells are non-conventional T cells exhibiting features of innate immune cells, and are significantly increased in the absence of non-receptor tyrosine kinase ITK. Their developmental path and function are not clear, particularly whether they can contribute to antigen specific responses. We found that WT bone marrow gives rise to IMP CD8+ T cells in irradiated MHCI-/- recipients, resembling those in Itk-/- mice determined by expression of surface markers. However, CD8+ T cells share similar expression of memory markers.

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Huang W, Hu J, August A