Hair follicles retain memory CD4 T cells in skin following infection with herpes simplex virus-1

Abstract

Abstract Skin is barrier tissue at the interface of our body and the environment that is exposed to pathogens and therefore must be efficiently protected. Hair follicles are abundant in skin and produce chemokines. However, whether these chemokines regulate skin T cells has not been explored. In the context of a localized viral skin infection with herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1), T cell infiltration is necessary for optimal skin protection. Following resolution of infection, memory T cells remain at sites of prior infection. In this study, effector memory CD4+ T cells as well as antigen presenting cells (APC) were found in higher numbers in previously infected ipsilateral skin ..