IMMUNOLOGY2025™ Conference Recordings-Resident memory T cells on the brain

Resident memory T cells on the brain - Pamela Rosato

Video Transcription

Video Summary

The speaker described new work on tissue-resident memory T cells (TRM) in the brain. Although the brain is fragile, these cells are functional and can rapidly sense antigen, trigger cytokine and chemokine release, activate microglia, and recruit immune cells. Using human autopsy and epilepsy resection samples, the lab found abundant brain TRM with distinct resident-like subtypes, including granzyme-rich, cytokine/chemokine-poised, and interferon-response states. Similar heterogeneity appeared in mouse models. Experiments showed that brain TRM differ from TRM in other tissues and that local brain infection, antigen, and type I interferon together help shape a granzyme A/CD103-positive subset. Upon reactivation, brain TRM shifted into functionally distinct activated states, suggesting specialized roles. The talk concluded with open questions about where these cells reside, what antigens they recognize, and how they are regulated.

Keywords

brain tissue-resident memory T cells

TRM heterogeneity

granzyme A CD103 positive subset

type I interferon

microglia activation

antigen reactivation