Linear Differentiation of Cytotoxic Effectors into Memory T Lymphocytes

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Abstract
A central question in immunology is the origin of long-lived T cell memory that confers protection against recurrent infection. The differentiation of naı̈ve T cell receptor transgenic CD8 + cells into effector cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) and memory CD8 + cells was studied. Memory CD8 + cells that were generated after strong antigenic stimulation were the progeny of cytotoxic effectors and retained antigen-specific cytolytic activity 10 weeks after adoptive transfer to antigen-free recipient mice. Thus, potential vaccines based on CTL memory will require the differentiation of naı̈ve cells into post-effector memory T cells.