Transcriptional memory-like imprints and enhanced functional activity in γδ T cells following resolution of malaria infection

Kumarasingha, R.; Ioannidis, L. J.; Abeysekera, W.; Studniberg, S.; Wijesurendra, D.; Mazhari, R.; Poole, D. P.; Mueller, I.; Schofield, L.; Hansen, D. S.; Eriksson, E. M.

doi:10.1101/2020.05.05.078717

bioRxiv · 10.1101/2020.05.05.078717

Transcriptional memory-like imprints and enhanced functional activity in γδ T cells following resolution of malaria infection

Kumarasingha, R.·Ioannidis, L. J.·Abeysekera, W.·Studniberg, S.·Wijesurendra, D.·Mazhari, R.·Poole, D. P.·Mueller, I.·Schofield, L.·Hansen, D. S.·Eriksson, E. M.

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Abstract

{gamma}{delta} T cells play an essential role in the immune response to malaria infection. However, long-lasting effects of malaria infection on the {gamma}{delta} T cell population still remain inadequately understood. This study investigated transcriptional changes and memory-like functional capacity of malaria pre-exposed {gamma}{delta} T cells using a Plasmodium chabaudi infection model. We show that multiple genes associated with effector function (chemokines, cytokines and cytotoxicity) and antigen-presentation were upregulated in P. chabaudi-exposed {gamma}{delta} T cells compared to {gamma}{delta} T cells from naive mice. This transcriptional profile was positively correlated with profiles observed in conventional memory CD8+ T cells and was accompanied by enhanced reactivation upon secondary encounter with Plasmodium-infected red blood cells in vitro. Collectively our data demonstrate that Plasmodium exposure result in "memory-like imprints" in the {gamma}{delta} T cell population and also promotes {gamma}{delta} T cells that can support antigen-presentation during subsequent infections.

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Kumarasingha, R., Ioannidis, L. J., Abeysekera, W., Studniberg, S., Wijesurendra, D., Mazhari, R., Poole, D. P., Mueller, I., Schofield, L., Hansen, D. S., Eriksson, E. M.. 2020-05-05. Transcriptional memory-like imprints and enhanced functional activity in γδ T cells following resolution of malaria infection. https://doi.org/10.1101/2020.05.05.078717

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