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Memory CD8+ T cells are ideal candidates for cancer immunotherapy because they can mediate long-term protection against tumors. However, the therapeutic potential of different in vitro-generated CD8+ T cell effector subsets to persist and become memory cells has not been fully characterized. Type 1 CD8+ T (Tc1) cells produce interferon-γ and are endowed with high cytotoxic capacity, whereas IL-17-producing CD8+ T (Tc17) cells are less cytotoxic but display enhanced self-renewal capacity. We sought to evaluate the functional properties of in vitro-generated Tc17 cells and elucidate their potential to become long lasting memory cells. Our results show that in vitro-generated Tc17 cells display a greater in vivo persistence and expansion in response to secondary antigen stimulation compared to Tc1 cells. When transferred into recipient mice, Tc17 cells persist in secondary lymphoid organs, present a recirculation behavior consistent with central memory T cells, and can shift to a Tc1 phenotype. Accordingly, Tc17 cells are endowed with a higher mitochondrial spare respiratory capacity than Tc1 cells and express higher levels of memory-related molecules than Tc1 cells. Together, these results demonstrate that in vitro-generated Tc17 cells acquire a central memory program and provide a lasting reservoir of Tc1 cells in vivo, thus supporting the use of Tc17 lymphocytes in the design of novel and more effective therapies.

Original publication

DOI

10.3389/fimmu.2018.00209

Type

Journal article

Journal

Frontiers in immunology

Publication Date

01/2018

Volume

9

Addresses

Departamento de Biologia, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile.

Keywords

T-Lymphocyte Subsets, T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic, Cells, Cultured, Animals, Mice, Inbred C57BL, Mice, Knockout, Mice, Interleukin-17, Antigens, Immunotherapy, Adoptive, Cell Differentiation, Immunologic Memory, Female, Male, Primary Cell Culture