PD-1-cis IL-2R agonism yields better effectors from stem-like CD8+ T cells

Abstract Expansion and differentiation of antigen-experienced PD-1 + TCF-1 + stem-like CD8 + T cells into effector cells is critical for the success of immunotherapies based on PD-1 blockade 1–4 . Hashimoto et al. have shown that, in chronic infections, administration of the cytokine interleukin (IL)-2 triggers an alternative differentiation path of stem-like T cells towards a distinct population of ‘better effector’ CD8 + T cells similar to those generated in an acute infection 5 . IL-2 binding to the IL-2 receptor α-chain (CD25) was essential in triggering this alternative differentiation path and expanding better effectors with distinct transcriptional and epigenetic profiles. However, constitutive…

• EU
  Emory University
• NI
  National Institutes of Health

  Awards: P51OD011132, 2P30CA138292-04, OD026799, S10 OD026799
• SO
  School of Medicine, Emory University
• WC
  Winship Cancer Institute
• NC
  National Cancer Institute

  Awards: 2P30CA138292-04, 2P30CA138292