T-bet or not T-bet

摘要

T and B lymphocytes have commandeered well-established developmental strategies to ensure their efficient response to antigens. This is evident during the development of effector CD4 and CD8 T cells when antigennaive T cells are reprogrammed to express new genes that arm them for heightened immune defense against pathogens. Key transcription factors regulating the development of CD4 effector T cells have been identified, whereas those involved in CD8 effector T cell development are less well understood. This disparity is addressed by Pearce et al. on page 1041 of this issue with their introduction of a major player in the development of CD8 T cells.