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  • Title: Antigen-nonspecific activation of CD8+ T lymphocytes by cytokines: relevance to immunity, autoimmunity, and cancer.
    Author: Ramanathan S, Gagnon J, Ilangumaran S.
    Journal: Arch Immunol Ther Exp (Warsz); 2008; 56(5):311-23. PubMed ID: 18836862.
    Abstract:
    Development of T lymphocytes and their survival in the periphery are dependent on signals emanating from cytokine receptors as well as the T cell antigen receptor (TCR). These two signaling pathways play distinct and complementary roles at various stages of T cell development, maturation, survival, activation and differentiation. During immune response to foreign antigens initiated by TCR signaling, cytokines play a key role in the expansion of activated T cells. Even though the initial activation of T cells occurs via the TCR, this requirement can be overcome under certain circumstances. During lymphopenia, cytokines trigger memory CD8(+) T cells to undergo antigen non-specific homeostatic expansion, whereas naïve CD8(+) T cells require both cytokines and TCR signaling. Recent reports show certain combinations of cytokines can induce proliferation and effector functions of naïve CD8(+) T cells without concomitant stimulation via the TCR. While such antigen non-specific stimulation of naïve T cells might significantly boost the adaptive immune response, it could also have an undesirable effect of triggering potentially autoreactive cells. Understanding the mechanisms and the regulation of cytokine-driven stimulation of naïve CD8(+) T cells may lead to novel strategies of intervention for autoimmune diseases. On the other hand, in vitro expansion of naïve CD8(+) T cells by certain combinations of cytokines could be used to generate tumor-specific cells with ideal properties for cellular immunotherapy of cancer.
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