Monocyte regulation of tissue resident memory CD8 T cells

University Of Georgia, Athens GA

Investigators

Linked publications & trials

Abstract

Viruses have co-evolved with their hosts for centuries and as a result have developed mechanisms of immune escape. The simplest mechanism is mutation of surface epitopes recognized by antibodies. However, hosts have countered with cytotoxic CD8 T cells that can recognize mutated viruses via conserved, internal proteins. These CD8 T cell epitopes are less susceptible to immune pressure as they are essential for viral fitness. Importantly, once activated, a portion of the anti-viral T cells will persist long-term, some within non-lymphoid tissues as tissue-resident memory cells (TRM) poised to respond rapidly after subsequent infections. Unfortunately, however, not all TRM are created equal. TRM derived from respiratory infection are not stable, and as their numbers diminish, cross-protection against related viruses is also lost. Thus, understanding the mechanisms which prevent the development of durable TRM is essential for designing interventions to extend their protective capacity. The goal of this application is to determine how the early T cell programmatic events unique to viral infections of the lung and the ensuing respiratory immune response promote a developmental divergence from the archetypical memory program associated with long-lived memory. In preliminary data, we identified a population of transitional CCR2+ monocyte/dendritic cell (moDC) which emigrate to the lung draining lymph node coordinate with T cell activation and only after respiratory infection. These moDC develop in response to type I IFN signaling and express high levels of the inhibitory molecule PD-L1. Importantly, selective depletion of moDC early after infection modifies the phenotype of the resultant TRM to resemble conventional, long-lived TRM, suggesting that these moDC suppress the conventional TRM program. Here, we will extend our preliminary studies to define the pathogen-driven signals which elicit the development and recruitment of these suppressive cells to the site of priming. Additional studies will define mechanistically how moDC interface with anti-viral CD8 T cells in the lymph node and whether release of the moDC suppression prolongs TRM survival in the lung and concomitantly extends heterologous protection. Together, these studies will provide a clear picture of the complex relationship between virus and host where specific pathogen-driven immune responses in place to temper local immunity may also divert the responding CD8 T cells towards a short-lived respiratory TRM fate. Translation of this knowledge will improve vaccines against respiratory viruses which remain a public health concern.