Viral immunology
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Review
Persistence in Temporary Lung Niches: A Survival Strategy of Lung-Resident Memory CD8+ T Cells.
Respiratory virus infections, such as those mediated by influenza virus, parainfluenza virus, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV), rhinovirus, and adenovirus, are responsible for substantial morbidity and mortality, especially in children and older adults. Furthermore, the potential emergence of highly pathogenic strains of influenza virus poses a significant public health threat. Thus, the development of vaccines capable of eliciting long-lasting protective immunity to those pathogens is a major public health priority. ⋯ However, it remains controversial whether lung CD8+ TRM cells are continuously replenished by new cells from the circulation or permanently lodged in this site. A better understanding of how lung CD8+ TRM cells are generated and maintained and the tissue-specific factors that drive local TRM formation is required for optimal vaccine development. This review focuses on recent advance in our understanding of CD8+ TRM cell establishment and maintenance in the lung, and describes how those processes are uniquely regulated in this tissue.