Naïve CTLs require a single brief period of antigenic stimulation for clonal expansion and differentiation

摘要: In defense of the host, immune system must often raise an effective cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) response from a small number clonal precursors. The degree to which activation stimuli regulate expansion and differentiation naive CTLs, however, remains unknown. Using engineered antigen-presenting cell (APC) that allows control over antigenic stimulation, we studied signaling duration requirements for priming CTLs. We found CTLs become committed after as little 2 h exposure APCs their subsequent division can occur without need further stimulation daughter cells, whether is in vitro or vivo. These data show brief interaction with stimulatory APCs, initiate program autonomous development into functional effectors.