Human mucosal tissue-resident memory T cells in health and disease

Abstract

Memory T cells are fundamental to maintain immune surveillance of the human body. During the past decade, it has become apparent that non-recirculating resident memory T cells (TRMs) form a first line memory response in tissues to tackle re-infections. The fact that TRMs are essential for local immunity highlights the therapeutic potential of targeting this population against tumors and infections. However, similar to other immune subsets, TRMs are heterogenous and may form distinct effector populations with unique functions at diverse tissue sites. Further insight into the mechanisms of how TRM function and respond to pathogens and malignancies at different mucosal sites will help to shape future vaccine and immunotherapeutic approaches. Here, we review the current understanding of TRM function and biology at four major mucosal sites: gastrointestinal tract, lung, head and neck, as well as female reproductive tract. We also summarize our current knowledge of how TRM targets invading pathogens and developing tumor cells at these mucosal sites and contemplate how TRMs may be exploited to protect from infections and cancer.

Duodenal CD8+ T resident memory cell apoptosis contributes to gut barrier dysfunction and microbial translocation in early alcohol‐associated liver disease in humans

“…T cells constitute an important part of the intestinal immune machinery. Recent data indicate that in particular T resident memory cells act as immune sentinels against invading pathogens 18 . We, therefore, evaluated the intestinal T‐cell compartment in duodenal biopsies from healthy controls and in actively drinking AUD patients.…”

“…Recent data indicate that in particular T resident memory cells act as immune sentinels against invading pathogens. 18 We, therefore, evaluated the intestinal T-cell compartment in duodenal biopsies from healthy controls and in actively drinking AUD patients. Immunohistochemistry revealed that the number of CD8+ T lymphocytes was lower in actively drinking AUD patients compared with healthy controls (Figure 1A,B).…”

Research Advances for Virus-vectored Tuberculosis Vaccines and Latest Findings on Tuberculosis Vaccine Development

“…Unlike other memory T cells such as central memory and effector memory T cells, T RM cells colonize local tissues infected by pathogens and remain there for a long time after the pathogen has been eliminated without participating in blood circulation (129). They have been demonstrated at sites that include the intestines, skin, urogenital tract, and lung mucosa (130)(131)(132)(133). When the pathogen invades again, T RM cells immediately sense and initiate immune responses so that the pathogen can be controlled or be eliminated at the early stage of infection.…”

Insight of oral vaccines as an alternative approach to health and disease management: An innovative intuition and challenges

“…The mucosal immune system is the first defence line because it is the initial site of interaction most of the disease causing pathogens (Chassaing et al, 2014;Jung et al, 2010;Macpherson & Smith, 2006). Pathogens can infiltrate mucosal membranes in the aerodigestive, respiratory and urogenital tracts because they have frequent contact with the outside environments (Lange et al, 2021).…”