Illuminating the Petite Picture of T Cell Memory Responses toListeria monocytogenes

Abstract

The ease to culture, moderately less safety constraints in handling, and above all, hurdle free induction of an anticipated infection in mouse renderedListeria monocytogenesthe rank of a model organism for studying a variety of host immune responses.Listeria monocytogenesbeing an intracellular pathogen evokes potent CD8 T cell response during which CD8 T cells pass through a massive expansion phase. This is generally followed by contraction phase wherein majority of activated cells undergo apoptosis leaving behind a population of memory CD8 T cells that has potential to confer enhanced protection upon reencounter with the same pathogen. Functional attributes of various cytokines, transcription factors, receptors, adaptors, and effectors pertaining to the generation of robust memory T cell response have begun to be unravelled for better understanding of memory and opening avenues to create superior vaccine strategies. This review is an attempt to unveil related discoveries along with updating recent advances on this issue.