Functional separation of IL7Rα/KLRG1-defined CD8+ T cell populations in humans

During acute viral infections in mice, IL-7Rα and KLRG1 together are used to distinguish the short-lived effector cells (SLEC; IL-7RαloKLRGhi) from the precursors of persisting memory cells (MPEC; IL-7RαhiKLRG1lo). We here show that these markers can be used to define distinct subsets in the circulation and lymph nodes during the acute phase and in ‘steady state’ in humans. In contrast to the T cells in the circulation, T cells derived from lymph nodes hardly contain any KLRG1-expressing cells. The four populations defined by IL-7Rα and KLRG1 differ markedly in transcription factor, granzyme and chemokine receptor expression. When studying renal transplant recipients experiencing a primary hCMV and EBV infection, we also found that after viral control, during latency, Ki-67-negative SLEC can be found in the peripheral blood in considerable numbers. Thus, combined analyses of IL-7Rα and KLRG1 expression on human herpes virus-specific CD8+ T cells can be used to separate functionally distinct subsets in humans. As a non-cycling IL-7RαloKLRG1hi population is abundant in healthy humans, we conclude that this combination of markers not only defines short-lived effector cells during the acute response but also stable effector cells that are formed and remain present during latent herpes infections.