Identification of human CD4+ TEM and TEMRA cell-specific gene markers
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ABSTRACT: Memory T cells mount an accelerated response upon antigen re-challenge but are heterogeneous in phenotype and function. Therefore, traditionally memory T cells were classified into central memory (TCM), effector memory (TEM) and terminally differentiated effector memory (TEMRA) cells based on the expression of lymph node homing receptors and CD45 splice variants. However, findings on functional heterogeneity even within these subsets demonstrated the need for more suitable markers to match phenotype and function during T cell differentiation. To improve functional classification of human CD4+ memory T cells we applied bulk and single gene expression profiling and identified a set of surface markers, KLRB1, KLRG1, GPR56 and KLRF1, which facilitate classification into subsets with “low”, “high” or “exhausted” cytokine production. Highest level production of multiple cytokines was observed in T cells co-expressing KLRB1 with KLRG1 and/or GPR56 while additional KLRF1 expression was associated with a decline in cytokine production. The superiority of using KLRF1 expression to define exhausted cytokine producers compared to classical TEMRA identification was best exemplified for intrahepatic T cells in patients with inflammatory liver diseases. These data open up new opportunities for monitoring and treatment of chronic inflammatory diseases driven by cytokine producing CD4+ memory T cells.
ORGANISM(S): Homo sapiens
PROVIDER: GSE102005 | GEO | 2019/04/09
REPOSITORIES: GEO
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