Breast Milk-Derived Antigen-Specific CD8+ T Cells: An Extralymphoid Effector Memory Cell Population in Humans

摘要

Although mouse studies have demonstrated the presence of an effector memory population in nonlymphoid tissues, the phenotype of human CD8+ T cells present in such compartments has not been characterized. Because of the relatively large number of CD8+ T cells present in breast milk, we were able to characterize the phenotype of this cell population in HIV-infected and uninfected lactating women. CMV, influenza virus, EBV, and HIV-specific CD8+ T cells as measured by the IFN-γ ELISPOT and MHC class I tetramer staining were all present at greater frequencies in breast milk as compared with blood. Furthermore, a greater percentage of the breast milk CD8+ T cells expressed the intestinal homing receptor, CD103, and the mucosal homing receptor CCR9. Breast milk T cells were predominantly CD45RO+HLADR+ and expressed low levels of CD45RA, CD62L, and CCR7 consistent with an effector memory population. Conversely, T cells derived from blood were mainly characterized as central memory cells (CCR7+CD62L+). These results demonstrate a population of extralymphoid CD8+ T cells with an effector memory phenotype in humans, which could contribute to enhanced local virologic control and the relative lack of HIV transmission via this route.