Immune Netw.  2023 Feb;23(1):e11. 10.4110/in.2023.23.e11.

Roles of Virtual Memory T Cells in Diseases

• Seok J
• Cho SD
• Seo SJ
• Park SH

• KMID: 2544655
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4110/in.2023.23.e11

Abstract

Memory T cells that mediate fast and effective protection against reinfections are usually generated upon recognition on foreign Ags. However, a “memory-like” T-cell population, termed virtual memory T (T VM ) cells that acquire a memory phenotype in the absence of foreign Ag, has been reported. Although, like innate cells, T VM cells reportedly play a role in first-line defense to bacterial or viral infections, their protective or pathological roles in immune-related diseases are largely unknown. In this review, we discuss the current understanding of T VM cells, focusing on their distinct characteristics, immunological properties, and roles in various immune-related diseases, such as infections and cancers.

Keyword

Virtual memory T cells; Infectious disease; Cancer