Memory lineage relationships in HTLV-1-specific CD8+ cytotoxic T cells.

Cytotoxic memory T cells play a critical role in combating viral infections; however, in some diseases they may contribute to tissue damage. In HAM/TSP, HTLV-1 Tax 11–19+ cells proliferate spontaneously in vitro and can be tracked using the Tax 11–19 MHC Class I tetramer. Immediately ex vivo, these cells were a mix of CD45RA−/CCR7− TEM and CD45RA+/CCR7− TDiff memory CTL. The subsequent proliferating Tax 11–19 tetramer+ population expressed low levels of IL-7Rα, failed to respond to IL-7 and IL-15, and did not develop a TCM phenotype. Thus, chronic exposure to viral antigen may result in a sustained pool of TEM cells that home to the CNS and mediate the spinal cord pathology seen in this disease.