Journal Article DKFZ-2026-00446

http://join2-wiki.gsi.de/foswiki/pub/Main/Artwork/join2_logo100x88.png
Metabolic quiescence of naive-like memory T cells precedes and maintains antigen-specific T cell memory.

 ;  ;  ;  ;  ;  ;  ;  ;  ;  ;  ;  ;  ;  ;  ;  ;  ;  ;  ;  ;  ;  ;  ;

2026
Springer Nature Limited London

Nature immunology 27, 452–462 () [10.1038/s41590-026-02421-w]
 GO

Abstract: Metabolic activity shapes cell fate but remains challenging to capture in vivo with high resolution. Here we performed longitudinal metabolic and phenotypic profiling of human antigen-specific CD8+ T cells after yellow fever vaccination using flow cytometry and single-cell RNA sequencing. As assessed by protein translation rates, CD8+ T cells upregulated glycolysis to fuel anabolic needs for proliferation but predominantly used oxidative phosphorylation for energy production during the acute phase (days 7-28) after vaccination. Simultaneously, CD8+CD62L+CD45RA- central memory T cells were the most metabolically active subset, whereas CD8+CD62L-CD45RA+ effector T cells underwent metabolic shutdown. Weakly differentiated CD8+CD62L+CD45RA+CD95- naive-like memory T cells showed minimal activity, relied solely on oxidative phosphorylation and were preferentially maintained 26 years postvaccination, reinforcing the link between cellular quiescence and longevity. Our study highlights quiescence as a key feature for long-term immunological memory formation in humans.

Classification:

Note: volume 27, pages 452–462 (2026)

Contributing Institute(s):
  1. Immunologie (D290)
Research Program(s):
  1. 314 - Immunologie und Krebs (POF4-314) (POF4-314)

Appears in the scientific report 2026
Database coverage:
Medline ; OpenAccess ; BIOSIS Previews ; Biological Abstracts ; Clarivate Analytics Master Journal List ; Current Contents - Life Sciences ; DEAL Nature ; Ebsco Academic Search ; Essential Science Indicators ; IF >= 30 ; JCR ; National-Konsortium ; SCOPUS ; Science Citation Index Expanded ; Web of Science Core Collection
Click to display QR Code for this record

The record appears in these collections:
Document types > Articles > Journal Article
Public records
Publications database
Open Access

 Record created 2026-02-25, last modified 2026-04-23


OpenAccess:
Download fulltext PDF Download fulltext PDF (PDFA)
Rate this document:

Rate this document:
1
2
3
 
(Not yet reviewed)