A Role for the Immediate Early Gene Product c-fos in Imprinting T Cells with Short-Term Memory for Signal Summation
2011
How T Cells Remember Activation Signals
publication
Evidence: moderate
Author Information
Author(s): Clark Carolyn E., Hasan Milena, Bousso Philippe
Primary Institution: Institut Pasteur
Hypothesis
Can T cells integrate and remember short periods of activation signals?
Conclusion
T cells can imprint a biochemical memory of activation signals, allowing for a more rapid response upon subsequent stimulation.
Supporting Evidence
- T cells can sum up signals from short, interrupted stimulations.
- c-fos levels remain elevated for hours after T cell activation.
- Phosphorylated c-fos can persist for at least one day after stimulation.
Takeaway
T cells can remember signals they receive, even if those signals are short and not continuous, which helps them respond faster next time.
Methodology
The study used in vitro and in vivo experiments to assess T cell responses to stimulation and the role of c-fos in memory formation.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
Want to read the original?
Access the complete publication on the publisher's website