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Tissue resident memory (Trm) CD8 T cells represent a newly described memory T cell population. We have previously characterized a population of Trm cells that persists within the brain after acute virus infection. Although capable of providing marked protection against a subsequent local challenge, brain Trm cells do not undergo recall expansion after dissociation from the tissue. Furthermore, these Trm cells do not depend on the same survival factors as the circulating memory T cell pool as assessed either in vivo or in vitro. To gain greater insight into this population of cells, we compared the gene expression profiles of Trm cells isolated from the brain with those of circulating memory T cells isolated from the spleen after an acute virus infection. Trm cells displayed altered expression of genes involved in chemotaxis, expressed a distinct set of transcription factors, and overexpressed several inhibitory receptors. Cumulatively, these data indicate that Trm cells are a distinct memory T cell population disconnected from the circulating memory T cell pool and display a unique molecular signature that likely results in optimal survival and function within their local environment.

Secretion of proteases is critical for degradation of the extracellular matrix during an inflammatory response. Cathepsin (Cat) S and L are the major elastinolytic cysteine proteases in mouse macrophages. A 65 amino acid segment of the p41 splice variant (p41(65aa)) of major histocompatibility complex class II-associated invariant chain (Ii) binds to the active site of CatL and permits the maintenance of a pool of mature enzyme in endosomal compartments of macro-phages and dendritic cells (DCs). Here we show that interaction of p41(65aa) with mature CatL allows extracellular accumulation of the active enzyme. We detected mature CatL as a complex with p41(65aa) in culture supernatants from antigen-presenting cells (APCs). Extracellular accumulation of mature CatL is up-regulated by inflammatory stimuli as observed in interferon (IFN)-gamma-treated macrophages and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated DCs. Despite the neutral pH of the extracellular milieu, released CatL associated with p41(65aa) is catalytically active as demonstrated by active site labeling and elastin degradation assays. We propose that p41(65aa) stabilizes CatL in the extracellular environment and induces a local increase in the concentration of matrix-degrading enzymes during inflammation. Through its interaction with CatL, Ii may therefore control the migratory response of APCs and/or the recruitment of effectors of the inflammatory response.

Item does not contain fulltext, NK1.1(+) T cells develop and function through interactions with cell surface CD1 complexes. In I-A(b) mice lacking the invariant chain (Ii) processing enzyme, cathepsin S, NK1.1(+) T cell selection and function are impaired. In vitro, thymic dendritic cells (DCs) from cathepsin S(-/-) mice exhibit defective presentation of the CD1-restricted antigen, alpha-galactosylceramide (alpha-GalCer). CD1 dysfunction is secondary to defective trafficking of CD1, which colocalizes with Ii fragments and accumulates within endocytic compartments of cathepsin S(-/-) DCs. I-A(k), cathepsin S(-/-) mice do not accumulate class II-associated Ii fragments and accordingly do not display CD1 abnormalities. Thus, function of CD1 is critically linked to processing of Ii, revealing MHC class II haplotype and cathepsin S activity as regulators of NK T cells.