Lymphoid tissue chemokines limit priming duration to preserve CD8+ T cell functionality

Altenburger LM, Carvoeiro DC, Dehio P, Zhou J, Laura C, Cuadros ÀBI, Katoch M, Krüger C, de Albuquerque JB, Pfenninger P, Magdaleno JM, Mehling M, Iannacone M, Gheinani AH, Dengjel J, Abe J, Stein JV (2026)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2026

Journal

Science American Association for the Advancement of Science

Book Volume: 392

Article Number: eadq2080

Journal Issue: 6797

DOI: 10.1126/science.adq2080

Abstract

The generation of effector CD8+ T cells (TEFF) requires activation of naïve CCr7+ T cells (TN) by dendritic cells (DCs) in lymphoid tissue. How TN-DC interaction duration and signal integration are controlled remains unclear. in this study, we show that lymphoid stroma–secreted CCr7 ligands limit interaction duration by progressively inducing CD8+ T cell release from DCs. At late interaction stages, CCr7 ligands relocalize the F-actin regulator DOCK2 away from the DC interface, permitting T cell detachment, proliferation onset, and acquisition of cytotoxicity. Disruption of CCr7 signaling causes prolonged T cell–DC contacts and produces dysfunctional TEFF with elevated inhibitory receptors, reduced antimicrobial activity, and impaired recall responses. Stromal chemokines therefore act as critical regulators of T cell priming by DCs, preserving CD8+ effector function during acute and memory phases.

Authors with CRIS profile

Mitali Katoch Institute of Neuropathology

Involved external institutions

University of Fribourg / Universitè de Fribourg CH Switzerland (CH) Universität Basel CH Switzerland (CH) Ospedale San Raffaele (früher: Centro San Raffaele del Monte Tabor Foundation) IT Italy (IT) Universität Bern CH Switzerland (CH)

How to cite

APA:

Altenburger, L.M., Carvoeiro, D.C., Dehio, P., Zhou, J., Laura, C., Cuadros, À.B.I.,... Stein, J.V. (2026). Lymphoid tissue chemokines limit priming duration to preserve CD8+ T cell functionality. Science, 392(6797). https://doi.org/10.1126/science.adq2080

MLA:

Altenburger, Lukas M., et al. "Lymphoid tissue chemokines limit priming duration to preserve CD8+ T cell functionality." Science 392.6797 (2026).

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