Abstract
Memory T cells exhibit low activation thresholds and rapid effector responses following antigen stimulation, contrasting naive T cells with high activation thresholds and no effector responses. Signaling mechanisms for the distinct properties of naive and memory T cells remain poorly understood. Here, I will discuss new results on signal transduction in naive and memory T cells that suggest proximal control of activation threshold and a distinct biochemical pathway to rapid recall. The signaling and transcriptional pathways controlling immediate effector function in memory T cells closely resemble pathways for rapid effector cytokine production in innate immune cells, suggesting memory T cells use innate pathways for efficacious responses.
Publication types
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Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
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Review
MeSH terms
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Animals
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CD28 Antigens / immunology
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CD28 Antigens / metabolism
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CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology
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CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / metabolism*
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Cytokines / metabolism
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Humans
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Immunity, Innate
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Immunologic Memory*
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Phospholipase C gamma / metabolism
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Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / metabolism
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Signal Transduction / immunology*
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T-Box Domain Proteins / metabolism
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T-Lymphocyte Subsets / immunology
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T-Lymphocyte Subsets / metabolism*
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Transcriptional Activation / immunology
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ZAP-70 Protein-Tyrosine Kinase / genetics
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ZAP-70 Protein-Tyrosine Kinase / immunology
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ZAP-70 Protein-Tyrosine Kinase / metabolism*
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p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / metabolism
Substances
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CD28 Antigens
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Cytokines
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Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell
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T-Box Domain Proteins
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T-box transcription factor TBX21
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ZAP-70 Protein-Tyrosine Kinase
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p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases
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Phospholipase C gamma