Differential expansion of T central memory precursor and effector subsets is regulated by division speed

Abstract

T cell responses start with antigen-induced rapid cell divisions, and end by division cessation after pathogen clearance. Here, the authors use single-cell fate mapping and nucleoside analogue labelling to show that T central memory precursors proliferate slower than effector subsets and rely on antigenic rather than inflammatory stimuli to maintain their cell cycle speed.