MYB orchestrates T cell exhaustion and response to checkpoint inhibition

Abstract CD8 + T cells that respond to chronic viral infections or cancer are characterized by the expression of inhibitory receptors such as programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) and by the impaired production of cytokines. This state of restrained functionality—which is referred to as T cell exhaustion 1,2 —is maintained by precursors of exhausted T (T PEX ) cells that express the transcription factor T cell factor 1 (TCF1), self-renew and give rise to TCF1 − exhausted effector T cells 3–6 . Here we show that the long-term proliferative potential, multipotency and repopulation capacity of exhausted T cells during chronic infection are selectively preserved in a small population of transcriptionally distinct…

• DF
  Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft

  Awards: SFB 1054, 452881907, SFB-TRR 338/1 2021-452881907, SFB-TRR 338/1, 338/1 2021-452881907, SFB-TRR 338, 210592381
• EK
  Else Kröner-Fresenius-Stiftung
• DK
  Deutsche Krebshilfe

  Awards: 70113918, DKH 70113918
• MR
  Medical Research Council
• NH
  National Health and Medical Research Council