T cell exhaustion

EJ Wherry - Nature immunology, 2011 - nature.com
Nature immunology, 2011nature.com
T cell exhaustion is a state of T cell dysfunction that arises during many chronic infections
and cancer. It is defined by poor effector function, sustained expression of inhibitory
receptors and a transcriptional state distinct from that of functional effector or memory T cells.
Exhaustion prevents optimal control of infection and tumors. Recently, a clearer picture of
the functional and phenotypic profile of exhausted T cells has emerged and T cell
exhaustion has been defined in many experimental and clinical settings. Although the …
Abstract
T cell exhaustion is a state of T cell dysfunction that arises during many chronic infections and cancer. It is defined by poor effector function, sustained expression of inhibitory receptors and a transcriptional state distinct from that of functional effector or memory T cells. Exhaustion prevents optimal control of infection and tumors. Recently, a clearer picture of the functional and phenotypic profile of exhausted T cells has emerged and T cell exhaustion has been defined in many experimental and clinical settings. Although the pathways involved remain to be fully defined, advances in the molecular delineation of T cell exhaustion are clarifying the underlying causes of this state of differentiation and also suggest promising therapeutic opportunities.
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