Persistence in Temporary Lung Niches: A Survival Strategy of Lung-Resident Memory CD8(+) T Cells

Takamura, Shiki

At later time points during an acute virus infection (around day 7), effector CD8 + T cells recruited to the lung produce a significant amount of IL-10 in response to CD4 + T cell-derived IL-2 and innate lymphoid cell-derived IL-27 (101, 120, 121) . CD8 + T cell production of IL-10 is correlated with its terminal maturation and is vital in preventing excess inflammation in the lung (121) . Since IL-10 induces activation of the signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) that promotes memory CD8 + T cell differentiation, it is tempting to speculate that IL-10 produced by terminal effector CD8 + T cells at the memory check point may impact neighbor as well as late-comer CD8 + T RM precursors, and promote memory maturation in the lung.