Epigenetics mechanisms driving immune memory cell differentiation and function

Abstract

A cardinal feature of adaptive T-cell responses to infection is the initiation of a largely autonomous differentiation program that results in proliferation and acquisition of lineage-specific T-cell functions. Moreover, upon clearance of infection, immunological memory is established whereby memory T cells retain the functional capacity acquired during the initial primary response. This enables pathogen specific T cells to respond more rapidly and robustly without the need for further differentiation. It has long been appreciated that changes in chromatin architecture and histone biochemical modifications play a role in the establishment of transcriptionally permissive structures at T-cell ..