Killer-Like Receptors and GPR56 Progressive Expression Defines Cytokine Production of Human CD4+ Memory T Cells
ARTICLE https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-019-10018-1 OPEN Killer-like receptors and GPR56 progressive expression defines cytokine production of human CD4+ memory T cells Kim-Long Truong1,7, Stephan Schlickeiser1,2,7, Katrin Vogt1, David Boës1, Katarina Stanko1, Christine Appelt1, Mathias Streitz1, Gerald Grütz1,2, Nadja Stobutzki1, Christian Meisel1, Christina Iwert1, Stefan Tomiuk3, Julia K. Polansky2,4, Andreas Pascher5, Nina Babel2,6, Ulrik Stervbo 6, Igor Sauer 5, Undine Gerlach5 & Birgit Sawitzki1,2 1234567890():,; All memory T cells mount an accelerated response on antigen reencounter, but significant functional heterogeneity is present within the respective memory T-cell subsets as defined by CCR7 and CD45RA expression, thereby warranting further stratification. Here we show that several surface markers, including KLRB1, KLRG1, GPR56, and KLRF1, help define low, high, or exhausted cytokine producers within human peripheral and intrahepatic CD4+ memory T-cell populations. Highest simultaneous production of TNF and IFN-γ is observed in KLRB1+KLRG1+GPR56+ CD4 T cells. By contrast, KLRF1 expression is associated with T-cell exhaustion and reduced TNF/IFN-γ production. Lastly, TCRβ repertoire analysis and in vitro differentiation support a regulated, progressive expression for these markers during CD4+ memory T-cell differentiation. Our results thus help refine the classification of human memory T cells to provide insights on inflammatory disease progression and immunotherapy development. 1 Institute of Medical Immunology, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin and Berlin Institute of Health, 13353 Berlin, Germany. 2 Berlin-Brandenburg Center for Regenerative Therapies (BCRT), Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, 13353 Berlin, Germany. 3 Milteny Biotec GmbH, 51429 Bergisch Gladbach, Germany.
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