Long-lived epithelial immunity by tissue-resident memory T (TRM) cells in the absence of persisting local antigen presentation

Abstract

Although circulating memory T cells provide enhanced protection against pathogen challenge, they often fail to do so if infection is localized to peripheral or extralymphoid compartments. In those cases, it is T cells already resident at the site of virus challenge that offer superior immune protection. These tissue-resident memory T (T_RM) cells are identified by their expression of the α-chain from the integrin α_E(CD103)β₇, and can exist in disequilibrium with the blood, remaining in the local environment long after peripheral infections subside. In this study, we demonstrate that long-lived intraepithelial CD103⁺CD8⁺ T_RM cells can be generated in the absence of in situ antigen recognition. Local inflammation in skin and mucosa alone resulted in enhanced recruitment of effector populations and their conversion to the T_RM phenotype. The CD8⁺ T_RM cells lodged in these barrier tissues provided long-lived protection against local challenge with herpes simplex virus in skin and vagina challenge models, and were clearly superior to the circulating memory T-cell cohort. The results demonstrate that peripheral T_RM cells can be generated and survive in the absence of local antigen presentation and provide a powerful means of achieving immune protection against peripheral infection.