Regulation of Antigen-Specific CD8+ T Cell Homeostasis by Perforin and Interferon-γ
Abstract
T cell memory depends on factors that regulate expansion and death of these cells after antigenic stimulation. Mice deficient in perforin and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) exhibited increased expansion, altered immunodominance, and decreased death of antigen-specific CD8+ T cells after infection with an attenuated strain of Listeria monocytogenes, which was cleared from these mice. Expansion of CD8+ T cells was controlled by perforin, whereas IFN-γ regulated immunodominance and the death phase. Thus, perforin and IFN-γ regulate distinct elements of CD8+ T cell homeostasis independently of their role as antimicrobial effector molecules.
- Publication:
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Science
- Pub Date:
- November 2000
- DOI:
- 10.1126/science.290.5495.1354
- Bibcode:
- 2000Sci...290.1354B
- Keywords:
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- IMMUNOLOGY