Resident Memory T Cells and Their Effect on Cancer

Daniel J Craig; Justin F Creeden; Katelyn R Einloth; Cassidy E Gillman; Laura Stanbery; Danae Hamouda; Gerald Edelman; Lance Dworkin; John J Nemunaitis

doi:10.3390/vaccines8040562

Resident Memory T Cells and Their Effect on Cancer

Vaccines (Basel). 2020 Oct 1;8(4):562. doi: 10.3390/vaccines8040562.

Authors

Daniel J Craig¹, Justin F Creeden¹, Katelyn R Einloth¹, Cassidy E Gillman¹, Laura Stanbery², Danae Hamouda¹, Gerald Edelman¹, Lance Dworkin¹, John J Nemunaitis²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Toledo Medical Center, Toledo, OH 43614, USA.
² Gradalis, Inc., Carrollton, TX 75006, USA.

Abstract

Resident memory T (T_RM) cells are a unique subset of CD8⁺ T cells that are present within certain tissues and do not recirculate through the blood. Long term memory establishment and maintenance are dependent on tissue population of memory T cells. They are characterized by dual CD69/CD103 positivity, and play a role in both response to viral infection and local cancer immunosurveillance. Human T_RM cells demonstrate the increased expression of adhesion molecules to facilitate tissue retention, have reduced proliferation and produce both regulatory and immune responsive cytokines. T_RM cell phenotype is often characterized by a distinct expression profile driven by Runx3, Blimp1, and Hobit transcription factors. The accumulation of T_RM cells in tumors is associated with increased survival and response to immunotherapies, including anti-PD-1 and anti-CTLA-4. In this review, we explore potential mechanisms of T_RM cell transformation and maintenance, as well as potential applications for the use of T_RM cells in both the development of supportive therapies and establishing more accurate prognoses.

Keywords: cancer vaccine; immunotherapy; memory T cells.

Publication types

Review