Human Tissue-Resident Memory T Cells Are Defined by Core Transcriptional and Functional Signatures in Lymphoid and Mucosal Sites

Publication date: 19 September 2017
Source:Cell Reports, Volume 20, Issue 12
Author(s): Brahma V. Kumar, Wenji Ma, Michelle Miron, Tomer Granot, Rebecca S. Guyer, Dustin J. Carpenter, Takashi Senda, Xiaoyun Sun, Siu-Hong Ho, Harvey Lerner, Amy L. Friedman, Yufeng Shen, Donna L. Farber
Tissue-resident memory T cells (TRMs) in mice mediate optimal protective immunity to infection and vaccination, while in humans, the existence and properties of TRMs remain unclear. Here, we use a unique human tissue resource to determine whether human tissue memory T cells constitute a distinct subset in diverse mucosal and lymphoid tissues. We identify a core transcriptional profile within the CD69⁺ subset of memory CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T cells in lung and spleen that is distinct from that of CD69⁻ TEM cells in tissues and circulation and defines human TRMs based on homology to the transcriptional profile of mouse CD8⁺ TRMs. Human TRMs in diverse sites exhibit increased expression of adhesion and inhibitory molecules, produce both pro-inflammatory and regulatory cytokines, and have reduced turnover compared with circulating TEM, suggesting unique adaptations for in situ immunity. Together, our results provide a unifying signature for human TRM and a blueprint for designing tissue-targeted immunotherapies.

Graphical abstract

Teaser

Kumar et al. identify a core transcriptional and phenotypic signature that defines human TRMs for both CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T cells that is preserved across diverse individuals and in mucosal and lymphoid sites.


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