INTRODUÇÃO: Líquen plano (LP) é uma doença mucocutânea de natureza inflamatória crônica de etiologia ainda desconhecida. A estimulação da imunidade inata via os receptores Toll-like (TLRs) podem influenciar as células dendríticas e direcionar a resposta de células T CD4+ e CD8+ efetoras, assim como também favorecer o estado inflamatório do LP. OBJETIVOS: Avaliar o perfil fenotípico de células dendríticas mielóides (mDCs) e plasmocitóides (pDCs) e de linfócitos T CD4+ e CD8+ após estímulo com agonistas de TLRs no sangue periférico de pacientes com LP. Além disto, avaliar a frequência, perfil de maturação e os subtipos de células T CD4+ e TCD8+ reguladores. MÉTODOS: Foram selecionados 18 pacientes com LP (15 mulheres, 3 homens), com 41,57 ± 4,73 anos de idade e um grupo controle com 22 indivíduos sadios (18 mulheres, 4 homens), com 43,92 ± 7,83 anos de idade. As células mononucleares (CMNs) de sangue periférico foram avaliadas por citometria de fluxo quanto à: 1) Produção de TNF-? em mDCs e de IFN-? em pDCs em CMNs ativadas por agonistas de TLR 4, 7, 7/8 e 9; 2) Análise de células T CD4+ e CD8+ monofuncionais e polifuncionais após estímulo com agonistas de TLR 4, 7/8, 9 e enterotoxina B de Staphylococcus aureus (SEB); 3) Avaliação de células Th17 e Th22/Tc22 em CMNs após estímulo com SEB; 4) Frequência, perfil de maturação e subtipos de células T CD4+ e CD8+ reguladoras. RESULTADOS: 1) Nos pacientes com LP foi demonstrado um aumento na frequência de mDCs TNF-alfa+ após estímulo com agonistas de TLR4/LPS e TLR7-8/CL097, mas com imiquimode/TLR7 houve diminuição da expressão de CD83. Já nas pDCs do grupo LP, o imiquimode foi capaz de diminuir a expressão de CD80 e o CpG/TLR9 diminuiu a expressão de CD83 no LP. 2) As células T CD4+ secretoras de IL-10 mostraram aumento da frequência nos níveis basais, que diminuiu após estímulo com LPS e SEB. Em contraste, a produção de IFN-y aumentou em resposta ao LPS enquanto diminuiu para CpG. As células T CD4+ polifuncionais, secretoras de 5 citocinas simultâneas (CD4+IL-17+IL-22+TNF+IL-10+IFN-y+) diminuíram no LP após estímulo com CL097 e CpG. Entretanto, na ausência de IL-10, houve aumento da frequência de células CD4+IL-17+IL-22+TNF+IFN-y+ em resposta ao LPS. Um aumento na polifuncionalidade foi observado em células TCD4+ que expressam CD38, marcador de ativação crônica e na ausência de IL-10. Similarmente, às TCD4+, uma diminuição de células T CD8+ IFN-y+ e TNF+ foram detectadas após estímulo com CpG. 3) As células Th22/Tc22 nos níveis basais e após estímulo com SEB se mostraram aumentadas. As células Th17 não mostraram diferenças entre os grupos. 4) A frequência das células T CD4+ e CD8+ reg totais (CD25+Foxp3+CD127low/-) está elevada no LP. Quanto aos perfis de maturação, há aumento na frequência de células TCD4+ de memória efetora enquanto que para as células T CD8+ há predomínio das células de memória central. Quanto aos subtipos, há aumento nas células T CD4+ regs periféricas (pT reg). CONCLUSÕES: O estado de ativação das mDCs após ativação das vias de TLRs 4 e 7/8 pode influenciar na geração de resposta T efetoras no LP. O perfil de resposta monofuncional e polifuncional aos estímulos TLRs reflete a ativação destas células no sangue periférico. Além disso, o aumento de Th22/Tc22 e das células T regs indicam uma relação entre regulação e células efetoras no sangue periférico evidenciando que existem alterações extracutâneas no LP / BACKGROUND: Lichen planus (LP) is a mucocutaneous disease of chronic inflammatory course of unknown etiology. Stimulation of the innate immune system via Toll-like receptors (TLRs) may influence the dendritic cells and targeting the CD4+ and effector CD8+ T cell responses, as well as promoting inflammatory status of the LP. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the phenotypic profile of myeloid dendritic cells (mDCs), plasmacytoid (pDCs) and CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes after stimulation with TLR agonists in peripheral blood of patients with LP. Moreover, to evaluate the frequency, maturation profile and subtypes of CD4+ and CD8+ T regulators cells. METHODS: We selected 18 patients with LP (15 women, 3 men) with 41.57 ± 4.73 years old and a control group of 22 healthy subjects (18 women, 4 men), with 43.92 ± 7, 83 years old. Mononuclear cells from peripheral blood (PBMCs) were assessed by flow cytometry for: 1) mDC TNF-alfa production and pDCs IFN-alfa production in PBMCs activated by agonists of TLR 4, 7, 7/8 and 9; 2) Analysis of monofunctional and polyfunctional CD4+ and CD8+ T cells after stimulation with TLR 4 agonists, 7/8, 9 and Staphylococcus aureus enterotoxin B (SEB); 3) Evaluation of Th17 and Th22/ Tc22 cells in PBMCs after stimulation with SEB; 4) Frequency, maturation profile and subtypes of regulatory CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. RESULTS: 1) Patients with LP showed an increased frequency of TNF-alfa+ mDCs after stimulation with agonists of TLR4/LPS and TLR7-8 /CL097, whereas with imiquimod /TLR7 induced a decreased CD83 expression. Already in the pDCs of LP group the imiquimod was able to decrease the CD80 expression and CpG/TLR9 decreased CD83 expression. 2) CD4+ T cells secreting IL-10 demonstrated an increased frequency at the baseline levels, which decreased after stimulation with LPS and SEB. In contrast, the production of IFN-y increased in response to LPS while decreased to CpG. Polyfunctional CD4+ T cells secreting simultaneously 5 cytokines (CD4+IL-17+IL-22+TNF+IL-10+IFN-y+) decreased in the LP after stimulation with CpG and CL097. However, in the absence of IL-10, occurred an increased frequency of CD4+IL-17+IL-22+IFN-y+TNF+ in response to LPS. An increase in the polyfunctional response was seems in CD4+ T cells expressing CD38, a chronic activation marker, in the absence of IL-10. Similarly to the CD4+ T cells, a decreased CD8+ T cells secreting IFN-? and TNF was observed in LP, after stimulation with CpG. Polyfunctional CD8+ T cells from LP group showed decreased response with 3 and 4 cytokines at baseline condition, and upon SEB and CL097 stimulations, occurred an increased frequency of these cells. In LP group, T cells CD8+CD38+ polyfunctional showed low capacity, such as CD4+CD38+ cells. 3) The Th22/Tc22 cells already at baseline and after stimulation with SEB showed increased frequency. The Th17 cells showed no differences between groups. 4) The frequency of CD4+ and CD8+ total reg (CD25+Foxp3+CD127low/-) is increased in LP. The profiles of maturity, an increase in the frequency of CD4+ effector cells whereas for memory CD8+ T cells there is a predominance of central memory cells. As for the subtypes, there is an increase in CD4+ peripheral T regs cells (pT reg). CONCLUSIONS: The activation state of mDCs after activation of the pathways of TLRs 4 and 7/8 can influence the response and generation of effector T cells in the LP. The monofunctional and polyfunctional response profile for TLRs stimuli reflects the activation of these cells in peripheral blood. Furthermore, the increase of Th22/Tc22 and T regs cells indicate a relationship between regulatory and effector cells in peripheral blood showing that there are extra-cutaneous alterations in the LP

Em diversos tipos de neoplasias já foi demonstrado que diferenças no perfil do infiltrado imune tumoral têm relação com prognóstico e resposta ao tratamento. Esta relação aparece intimamente correlacionada ao perfil de expressão imunoistoquímica do tumor. A presença de linfócitos T citotóxicos(CTLs) no microambiente do tumor sugere uma característica biológica crucial para a modulação da resposta imunológica antitumoral. Por outro lado, as células T regulatórias (Tregs) são importantes na manutenção da homeostase imune, em virtude da sua capacidade em inibir a resposta imunológica. Defeitos na função ou uma diminuição do número das Tregs tem sido documentado em doenças auto-imunes, ao passo que no câncer esta população ainda pode ser mais bem estudada. Sendo estabelecido que o câncer pode ser promovido e / ou agravado pela inflamação e infecções e considerando que a superexpressão de componentes do controle da resposta inflamatória específicos de Tregs e CTLs podem representar um potente mecanismo para o processo de progressão e/ou regressão de carcinoma papilífero de tireoide (CPT), o objetivo deste estudo foi identificar e caracterizar as Tregs e CTLs , bem como avaliar e investigar a relação e o papel dessas células implicado na patogênese da resposta imune em pacientes acometidos com CPT associado ou não com a presença de Tireoidite de Hashimoto (TH), relacionando-as com fatores prognósticos clínico-patológicos. Foram selecionados 36 casos estratificados em 3 grupos (12 casos em cada grupo): CPTS correspondeu aos casos de CPT sem associação com quadro de tireoidite, CPTL aos casos de CPT associados á tireoidite linfocitica (CPTL) e CPTH, casos aonde o CPT estava associado á tireoidite de Hashimoto (CPTH) os quais foram submetidos á técnica de imunoistoquímica para os marcadores CD4, CD8, CD25, CD56, FOXP3 e Gran B e os resultados avaliados pelo método quantitativo. Os dados clínicos foram obtidos dos prontuários médicos. As leituras das células marcadas foram feitas nas regiões de carcinoma papilífero (denominadas intratumorais), nas áreas de parênquima tireoidiano de interface ao tecido neoplásico (denominadas peritumorais) e em áreas subsequentes de tecido tireoidiano normal (denominadas distantes). O número de células T do infiltrado 9 inflamatório foi expresso pela média aritmética da contagem das células dos cinco campos distintos em cada área. Foram feitas análise de variância de Medidas Repetidas Modelo Mixto e calculado o coeficiente de correlação de Pearson para as variáveis CD4 com CD8 e FOXP3 com GranB. Adicionalmente, apesar da avaliação dos CPT divididos segundo seus parâmetros clínico-patológicos não ter se apresentado significante, verificamos que em CPTH as imunovariáveis CD4 e FOXP3 (marcadores para Tregs) apresentaram maior marcação em tumores > 4,1 cm. Nesse mesmo grupo CD8 e Gran B (marcadores para CTLs) se apresentaram com maior imunomarcação em tumores não metastáticos, de estádio menor e sem recorrência. No geral, o infiltrado de células imunes entre os grupos CPTH, CPTL e CPTS, apresentou-se com diferentes densidades entre as áreas estudadas (intratumoral, peritumoral e distante). Linfócitos infiltrando o tecido de forma difusa (CPTS e CPTL) ou em agregados linfoides (CPTH) foram mais abundantes em áreas peritumorais e distantes e a proporção das células CD4+ e CD8+ variou substancialmente entre os grupos, de maneira que todos apresentaram correlação positiva (CPTH r=0,67; CPTL r=0,7 e CPTS r=0,35) crescente entre as variáveis. Em conclusão, estes resultados indicam que nos CPTs o microambiente imune parece ter uma relação com carcterísticas patológicas de progressão do tumor. Nosso estudo mostrou que em CPTH a densidade do infiltrado tumoral e peritumoral por linfócitos Tregs e T citotóxicos está inversamente relacionada. Corroborando com a importância do microambiente imune na evolução dos CPTs, os Tregs exerceram atividade pró-tumoral, favorecendo tumores mais agressivos e os CTLs, atividade antitumoral, favorecendo características de menor agressividade. / It has already been shown that differences in tumoral immune infiltrate profile are related to prognosis and response to treatment in several types of neoplasias. This relationship is closely correlated to the tumor immunohistochemical expression profile. The presence of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) in the tumor microenvironment suggests a crucial biological feature for the modulation of the antitumor immune response. On the other hand, regulatory T cells (Tregs) are important in maintaining immune homeostasis, because of their ability to inhibit the immune response. Defects in function or a decrease in the number of Tregs has been documented in autoimmune diseases, nevertheless in cancer this population may still be better studied. With the establishment that cancer can be promoted and / or aggravated by inflammation and infections and considering that overexpression of components of the inflammatory response specific for Tregs and CTLs may represent a potent mechanism for the progression and / or regression of thyroid papilary carcinoma (CPT). The objective of this study was to identify and characterize the Tregs and CTLs, as well as to evaluate and investigate the relationship and the role of these cells involved in the pathogenesis of the immune response in patients with CPT associated or not with the presence of Hashimoto\'s thyroiditis (HT) besides relating them to clinical-pathological prognostic factors. Thirty-six stratified cases were selected in 3 groups (12 cases per group): CPTS corresponded to TLC without thyroiditis association, CPTL to cases of TLC with lymphocytic thyroiditis associated (CPTL) and CPTH was considered cases which CPT was associated to Hashimoto thyroiditis (CPTH). These three groups were submitted to the immunohistochemical technique for the CD4, CD8, CD25, CD56, FOXP3 and Gran B markers and the results was evaluated by the quantitative method. Clinical data were obtained from medical records. Stained cells readings were made in the regions of papillary carcinoma (termed intratumoral area), in the areas of the thyroid parenchyma interface to the neoplastic tissue (termed peritumoral) and in subsequent areas of normal (distal) thyroid tissue. The number of T cells of the inflammatory infiltrate was expressed by the arithmetic mean of cells counted in five distinct fields. The variance analysis of Mixed Model Repeated 11 Measurements and the Pearson correlation coefficient for the CD4 and CD8 and FOXP3 variables with GranB were calculated. In addition, although the CPT divided according to clinical-pathological parameters did not present a significant difference, we found that the CD4 and FOXP3 immunoglobulins (Tregs markers) showed higher marking in tumors> 4.1cm. In this same group, CD8 and Gran B (markers for CTLs) presented a higher immunolabeling in nonmetastatic tumors, in smaller stage and in cases without recurrence. In general, the infiltrate of immune cells between the CPTH, CPTL and CPTS groups, presented different densities between the studied areas (intratumoral, peritumoral and distant). Lymphocytes infiltrating diffuse tissue (CPTS and CPTL) or lymphoid aggregates (CPTH) were more abundant in peritumoral and distal areas and the proportion of CD4 + and CD8 + cells varied substantially between groups, so that all groups presented positive correlation (CPTH r = 0.67, CPTL r = 0.7 and CPTS r = 0.35), increasing among the variables. In conclusion, these results indicate that in the CPTs the immune microenvironment seems to have a relation with pathological characteristics of tumor progression. Our study showed that in CPTH the density of tumor and peritumoral infiltrate by Tregs and T cells is inversely related. Corroborating with the importance of the immune microenvironment in the evolution of CPTs, Tregs exerted pro-tumor activity, favoring more aggressive tumors. While CTLs exerted an antitumor activity, favoring characteristics of lower aggressiveness.

A Imunodeficiência Comum Variável (ICV) é a imunodeficiência primária sintomática mais comum em adultos. Pacientes ICV frequentemente apresentam diversas alterações de linfócitos B, número reduzido de células Treg e ativação imune crônica, bem como infecções recorrentes, alta incidência de doenças autoimunes e um risco aumentado de doenças malignas. Testamos a hipótese de que a frequência de células B10 estaria diminuída nos pacientes ICV, já que elas desempenham um importante papel no desenvolvimento de células Treg, no controle da ativação de células T e na autoimunidade. Para tanto, nós avaliamos a frequência de células B10 em pacientes ICV buscando correlacioná-la com as diferentes manifestações clínicas e imunológicas associadas à doença. Quarenta e dois (42) pacientes com diagnóstico de ICV e 17 indivíduos saudáveis foram convidados a participar do estudo. A partir das CMSP criopreservadas foram realizados testes de perfil de ativação celular, presença de células T reguladoras (Treg) e caracterização das células B10. Os níveis de sCD14 no plasma foram determinados por ELISA. A produção de IL-10 foi determinada por ELISA em sobrenadante de cultura de células B. Pacientes ICV apresentam frequência diminuída de células B CD24hiCD38hi produtoras de IL-10 em diferentes condições de cultura celular e frequência diminuída de células B CD24hiCD27+ em cultura celular estimulada por CpG+PIB. No entanto, a produção de IL-10 por células B não demonstrou diferença significativa entre pacientes ICV e controles. A frequência de células B10 não teve correlação com a presença de autoimunidade, ativação celular ou frequência de células Treg em pacientes ICV. Este trabalho sugere que pacientes ICV têm um comprometimento na subpopulação de células B reguladoras, mas que não está correlacionado com as características clínicas e imunológicas apresentadas por esses indivíduos / Common variable immunodeficiency (CVID) is the most prevalent symptomatic primary immunodeficiency in adults. CVID patients often present changes in the frequency and function of B lymphocytes, reduced number of Treg cells, chronic immune activation, recurrent infections, high incidence of autoimmunity and increased risk for malignancies. We hypothesized that the frequency of B10 cells would be diminished in CVID patients because these cells play an important role in the development of Treg cells and in the control of T cell activation and autoimmunity. Therefore, we evaluated the frequency of B10 cells in CVID patients and correlated it with the different clinical and immunological characteristics of this disease. Forty-two CVID patients and 17 healthy controls were recruited for this study. Cryopreserved PBMCs were used for analysis of T cell activation, frequency of Treg cells and characterization of B10 cells by flow cytometry. Plasma sCD14 levels were determined by ELISA. IL-10 production was determined in supernatant by ELISA after culture of B cells. We found that CVID patients presented a decreased frequency of IL-10-producing CD24hiCD38hi B cells in different cell culture conditions and decreased frequency of IL-10-producing CD24hiCD27+ B cells stimulated with CpG+PIB. However, the B cells secretion of IL-10 was similar between CVID patients and healthy controls. The frequency of B10 cells had no correlation with autoimmunity, immune activation and Treg cells in CVID patients. This work suggests that CVID patients have a compromised regulatory B cell compartment which is not correlated with clinical and immunological characteristics presented by these individuals

Diss. (sammanfattning) Linköping : Linköpings universitet, 2010. / Härtill 4 uppsatser.

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory and demyelinating disease of the central nervous system. The etiology of MS is unknown but many researchers believe that it is autoimmune mediated. This study investigated naive CD4+ and naive CD8+ T-cell homeostasis in patients with Primary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis and Relapsing Remitting Multiple Sclerosis. The naive T-cell compartment involves a balance between thymic production of naive T-cells, homeostatic proliferation and the delivery of death and survival signals. Naive T-cell production was quantified by measuring signal joint T-cell receptor excision circles (sj-TRECs); episomal byproducts formed during V(D)J T-cell receptor rearrangement. / Homeostatic proliferation was quantified by flow cytometry analysis of % expression of CD31 and Ki-67. CD31 is a marker found on CD4+ recent thymic emigrants (RTE) but not on naive T-cells that have undergone homeostatic proliferation. CD31 can be used as a marker of the proliferation history of naive CD4+ T-cells. Ki-67 is a nuclear and nucleolar antigen found in actively cycling cells. It can be used as a marker of cell proliferation at the moment of isolation. Cell survival was measured by quantifying plasma IL-7 levels and by measuring Bcl-2 expressions. IL-7 plays an important role in maintaining and restoring peripheral naive T-cell homeostasis. It stimulates naive T-cell proliferation and prevents the reduction of Bcl-2, an antiapoptotic protein. / In this study, PPMS patients had significantly reduced naive CD4 + T-cell sj-TRECs compared to healthy controls (p = 0.0007) and compared to RRMS patients (p = 0.0010). RRMS patients had fewer sj-TRECs than healthy controls but this difference was not significant (p = 0.4652). Similarly, in PPMS, naive CD4+ T-cells had significantly lower CD31 expression than healthy controls (p = 0.0017) and RRMS patients (p = 0.0032). This finding indicates increased homeostatic proliferation in naive CD4 + T-cells in PPMS, most probably a response to decreased thymic export as marked by the decreased naive CD4+ T-cell sj-TRECs. % CD31 expression in naive CD4+ T-cells did not differ significantly in RRMS compared to healthy controls (p = 0.7455) which is consistent with their naive CD4+ sj-TREC levels. / Naive CD8+ T-cell sj-TRECs were significantly reduced in PPMS patients compared to healthy controls (p = 0.0212) but not compared to RRMS patients (p = 0.2379). RRMS patients had fewer naive CD8 + T-cell sj-TRECs compared to healthy controls but this difference was not significant (p = 0.1517). PPMS patients expressed increased Bcl-2 levels in their naive CD8+ T-cells. This finding indicates upregulation of survival signals, most probably a consequence of reduced thymic export of naive CD8+ T-cells. / The data from this study indicate that PPMS is different from RRMS in their naive CD4+ T-cell sj-TRECs and naive CD4 + T-cell % CD31 expression but is similar to RRMS in their naive CD8+ T-cell sj-TRECs. This study concludes, therefore, that both PPMS and RRMS patients have altered naive T-cell homeostasis.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Stockholm : Karol. inst., 2003. / Härtill 4 uppsatser.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Umeå : Umeå universitet, 2010.

Thesis (Ph.D. in Immunology) -- University of Colorado, 2006. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 277-285). Free to UCDHSC affiliates. Online version available via ProQuest Digital Dissertations;

Itk is a member of the Tec family of non-receptor tyrosine kinases. It is expressed in T cells, NK cells, and mast cells. The purpose of this study was to determine the role of Itk in T cell development. Previous work from our lab and others has demonstrated that Itk is involved in signaling downstream of the T cell receptor and initial analysis of Itk-deficient mice revealed that these mice had some defects in T cell development. There are two stages of T cell development, the pre-T cell stage and the CD4+ CD8+ double positive stage, at which signals downstream of the T cell receptor are important. At the CD4+ CD8+ double positive stage, these signals direct two concurrent, but distinct processes known as repertoire selection and CD4/CD8 lineage commitment/differentiation. I show that there are only slight defects in development at the pre-T cell stage, presumably due to reduced TCR signaling. However these results clearly demonstrate that Itk is not essential at this stage of development. In contrast, repertoire selection, in particular positive selection, is significantly affected by the absence of Itk. Similarly, I show that Itk plays a role in lineage differentiation, although commitment to the appropriate lineage occurs normally in the absence of Itk.

Professional antigen presenting cells (APCs) represent an important link between the innate and adaptive immune system. Macrophages (MΦs) and dendritic cells (DCs) serve as sentinels in the periphery collecting samples from their environment and processing this information. These cells then present antigenic fragments to T cells in the context of self-MHC molecules. Although a clear role for both of these APCs in the stimulation of already activated or memory T cells has been established, the ability of MΦs to activate naive T cells is still unknown. In this thesis the ability of bone marrow-derived MΦs and DCs to prime naive CD8+ and CD4+ T cells was investigated. Using adoptively transferred transgenic CFSE-Iabeled P-14 T cells, specific for gp33 from lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus in the context of Db, we were able to demonstrate the ability of both MΦs and DCs to induce naive CD8+ T cells proliferation. Once primed by MΦs these T cells gained effector function as shown by interferon- γ (IFN-γ) production and in vivo cytolysis. In addition, immunization of wild type animals with gp33-pulsed MΦs, as well as DCs, led to greater than a 95% reduction in lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus titers. To rule out the role of cross-presentation in the observed priming, two models were used. In the first model, lethally irradiated F1 bxs chimeras reconstituted with either H-2s or H-2b bone marrow were used as host for the adoptive transfer experiments. Since the gp33 peptide binds to Db, the H-2s reconstituted animals should be unable to cross-present the peptide to the P-14 T cells. Using this model, we were able to clearly demonstrate the ability of MΦs to activate naive P-14 T cells to undergo division. Additional experiments, demonstrated that these MΦ primed T cells went on to develop into effector cells. Finally, the ability of the MΦ primed T cells to develop into functional memory cells was demonstrated. To confirm the chimera results, these experiments were repeated using β2 microglobulin deficient animals (whose cells don't express MHC I) as host in adoptive experiments. MΦs were able to stimulate the naive P-14 T cells to divide and gain effector function as demonstrated by the ability to produce IFN-γ. In contrast to the CD8 system, MΦ were poor stimulators of D011.10 CD4+ T cell proliferation. Additionally, D011.10 T cells stimulated by DCs were able to produce interleukin-2 (IL-2), IL-4, tumor necrosis factor and granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor where as MΦ stimulated D011.10 T cells were only able to produce IL-2. In conclusion this body of work clearly demonstrates the in vivo ability of MΦ to stimulate CD8+ T cell proliferation, effector function, as well as the formation of functional CD8+ T cell memory. Whether or not the nature of the memory pools stimulated by the two APCs is exactly the same is still unknown and needs further investigation. The ability of APCs other than DCs to stimulate functional protective memory needs to be considered in the quest to design vaccines that offer broad-spectrum protection.