Cell reports
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Lung-resident primary memory CD8+ T cell populations (Trm) induced by a single influenza infection decline within months, rendering the host susceptible to new heterosubtypic influenza infections. Here, we demonstrate that, relative to single virus exposure, repeated antigen exposure dramatically alters the dynamics of influenza-specific lung Trm populations. ⋯ Parabiosis studies reveal that the enhanced durability of lung Trm after multiple antigen encounters resulted from the generation of long-lasting circulating effector memory (Tem) populations, which maintained the ability to be recruited to the lung parenchyma and converted to Trm, in combination with enhanced survival of these cells in the lung. Thus, generating a long-lasting Trm precursor pool through repeated intranasal immunizations might be a promising strategy to establish long-lasting lung Trm-mediated heterosubtypic immunity against influenza.