D. Zehn

A bacterial microbiome is dispensable for the induction of CD8 T cell exhaustion

This study shows that the microbiome is not required for T cell exhaustion in chronic LCMV infections, as germ-free mice exhibit similar exhaustion markers and gene expression patterns to specific pathogen-free mice.

T cell receptor and IL-2 signaling strength control memory CD8+ T cell functional fitness via chromatin remodeling

This study shows that TCR and IL-2 signaling strength during vaccination epigenetically programs memory CD8+ T cell functional fitness through chromatin remodeling.

Inflammatory signals are sufficient to elicit TOX expression in mouse and human CD8 T cells

The paper shows that inflammatory cytokines can increase TOX expression in human and mouse CD8 T cells, and that TOX is not required for PD-1 expression.

Cervicovaginal tissue residence imprints a distinct differentiation program upon memory CD8 T cells

The paper shows that residence in cervicovaginal tissue shapes CD8 T cell phenotype and function, leading to reduced local immunity and impaired viral control upon secondary challenge.

Attenuation of chronic antiviral T cell responses through constitutive COX2-dependent prostanoid synthesis by lymph node fibroblasts

The paper identifies lymph node fibroblastic reticular cells (FRC) as a source of COX2-dependent PGE2 that suppresses T cell responses during chronic infection.

Strong homeostatic TCR signals induce formation of self-tolerant virtual memory CD8 T cells

The paper shows that virtual memory CD8 T cells arise from strongly self-reactive T cells and are regulated by CD8-Lck stoichiometry, but do not exhibit increased autoimmune potential.