During acute viral infections in mice, IL-7R and KLRG1 together are used to distinguish the short-lived effector cells (SLEC; IL-7RloKLRGhi) from the precursors of persisting memory cells (MPEC; IL-7RhiKLRG1lo). We here show that these markers can be used to define distinct subsets in the circulation and lymph nodes during the acute phase and in steady state in humans. In contrast to the T cells in the circulation, T cells derived from lymph nodes hardly contain any KLRG1-expressing cells. The four populations defined by IL-7R and KLRG1 differ markedly in transcription factor, granzyme and chemokine receptor expression. When studying renal transplant recipients experiencing a primary hCMV and EBV infection, we also found that after viral control, during latency, Ki-67-negative SLEC can be found in the peripheral blood in considerable numbers. Thus, combined analyses of IL-7R and KLRG1 expression on human herpes virus-specific CD8+ T cells can be used to separate functionally distinct subsets in humans. As a non-cycling IL-7RloKLRG1hi population is abundant in healthy humans, we conclude that this combination of markers not only defines short-lived effector cells during the acute response but also stable effector cells that are formed and remain present during latent herpes infections. SOURCE: Benjamin Nota (benjamin.nota@gmail.com) -  Sanquin

Pluto Bioinformatics

GSE113098: Functional separation of IL7R/KLRG1-defined CD8+ T cell populations in humans