Spatial map of human T cell compartmentalization and maintenance over decades of life

Cell. 2014 Nov 6;159(4):814-28. doi: 10.1016/j.cell.2014.10.026.

Abstract

Mechanisms for human memory T cell differentiation and maintenance have largely been inferred from studies of peripheral blood, though the majority of T cells are found in lymphoid and mucosal sites. We present here a multidimensional, quantitative analysis of human T cell compartmentalization and maintenance over six decades of life in blood, lymphoid, and mucosal tissues obtained from 56 individual organ donors. Our results reveal that the distribution and tissue residence of naive, central, and effector memory, and terminal effector subsets is contingent on both their differentiation state and tissue localization. Moreover, T cell homeostasis driven by cytokine or TCR-mediated signals is different in CD4+ or CD8+ T cell lineages, varies with their differentiation stage and tissue localization, and cannot be inferred from blood. Our data provide an unprecedented spatial and temporal map of human T cell compartmentalization and maintenance, supporting distinct pathways for human T cell fate determination and homeostasis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aging / immunology*
  • CD28 Antigens / metabolism
  • Cell Differentiation
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Humans
  • Interleukin-7 Receptor alpha Subunit / metabolism
  • Lymphoid Tissue / cytology
  • Lymphoid Tissue / immunology
  • Middle Aged
  • Mucous Membrane / cytology
  • Mucous Membrane / immunology
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / chemistry
  • T-Lymphocyte Subsets / cytology
  • T-Lymphocyte Subsets / immunology
  • T-Lymphocyte Subsets / metabolism
  • T-Lymphocytes / cytology*
  • T-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • T-Lymphocytes / metabolism
  • Tissue Donors
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • CD28 Antigens
  • Interleukin-7 Receptor alpha Subunit
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell