Tissue-resident lymphocytes: weaponized sentinels at barrier surfaces

Gabrielle T Belz; Renae Denman; Cyril Seillet; Nicolas Jacquelot

doi:10.12688/f1000research.25234.1

Tissue-resident lymphocytes: weaponized sentinels at barrier surfaces

F1000Res. 2020 Jul 9:9:F1000 Faculty Rev-691. doi: 10.12688/f1000research.25234.1. eCollection 2020.

Authors

Gabrielle T Belz^{1

2

3}, Renae Denman¹, Cyril Seillet^{2

3}, Nicolas Jacquelot^{2

3}

Affiliations

¹ The University of Queensland, Diamantina Institute, Brisbane, Queensland, 4102, Australia.
² Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Melbourne, Victoria, 3052, Australia.
³ Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, 3010, Australia.

Abstract

Tissue-resident immune cells stably localize in tissues largely independent of the circulatory system. While initial studies have focused on the recognition of CD8 ⁺ tissue-resident memory T (CD8 T _RM) cells, it is now clear that numerous cell types such as CD4 ⁺ T cells, gd T cells, innate lymphoid cells and mucosal-associated invariant T (MAIT) cells form stable populations in tissues. They are enriched at the barrier surfaces and within non-lymphoid compartments. They provide an extensive immune network capable of sensing local perturbations of the body's homeostasis. This positioning enables immune cells to positively influence immune protection against infection and cancer but paradoxically also augment autoimmunity, allergy and chronic inflammatory diseases. Here, we highlight the recent studies across multiple lymphoid immune cell types that have emerged on this research topic and extend our understanding of this important cellular network. In addition, we highlight the areas that remain gaps in our knowledge of the regulation of these cells and how a deeper understanding may result in new ways to 'target' these cells to influence disease outcome and treatments.

Keywords: barrier protection; immune protection; memory T cells; pathogens; tissue-resident cells.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Review

MeSH terms

Autoimmunity
Immunity, Innate
Immunologic Memory
Lymphocytes*
T-Lymphocytes

Grants and funding

This work was supported by grants (1122277 and 1054925 to GTB, and 1165443 to GTB and CS) and fellowships (1135898 to GTB and 1123000 to CS) from the National Health and Medical Research Council and support from the Cure Cancer Australia and Cancer Australia Priority-driven Cancer Research Scheme (1163990 to NJ).