KLF13 regulate memory-like CD8 T cells

Memory-like T cells are a subset of thymic cells that acquire effector function through the maturation process rather than interaction with specific antigen. Disruption of genes encoding T cell signaling proteins or transcription factors have provided insights into the differentiation of such cells. We show here that in BALB/c but not C57BL/6 mice, a large portion of thymic CD4-CD8+ T cells exhibit a memory-like phenotype. In BALB/c mice, IL-4 secreted by invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells is both essential and sufficient for the generation of memory-like T cells. In C57BL/6 mice, iNKT cells are less abundant, producing IL-4 that is insufficient to induce thymic memory-like CD8+ T cells. BALB/c mice deficient in the transcription factor Kruppel-like factor (KLF) 13 have comparable numbers of iNKT cells to C57BL/6 mice and extremely low levels of thymic memory-like CD8+ T cells. This work documents the dramatic impact of a small number of KLF13-dependent iNKT cells.

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Lai D, Zhu J, Wang T, Hu-Li J, Terabe M, Berzofsky JA, Clayberger C, Krensky AM