During viral infection of the respiratory tract, CD27, 4-1BB, and OX40 collectively determine formation of CD8⁺ memory T cells and their capacity for secondary expansion

Independent studies have shown that CD27, 4-1BB, and OX40 can all promote survival of activated CD8⁺ T cells. We have therefore compared their impact on CD8⁺ memory T cell formation and responsiveness within one, physiologically relevant model system. Recombinant mice, selectively lacking input of one or two receptors, were challenged intranasally with influenza virus, and the immunodominant virus-specific CD8⁺ T cell response was quantified at priming and effector sites. Upon primary infection, CD27 and (to a lesser extent) 4-1BB made nonredundant contributions to accumulation of CD8⁺ virus-specific T cells in draining lymph nodes and lung, while OX40 had no effect. Interestingly though, in the memory response, accumulation of virus-specific CD8⁺ T cells in spleen and lung critically depended on all three receptor systems. This was explained by two observations: 1) CD27, 4-1BB, and OX40 were collectively responsible for generation of the same memory CD8⁺ T cell pool; 2) CD27, 4-1BB, and OX40 collectively determined the extent of secondary expansion, as shown by adoptive transfers with standardized numbers of memory cells. Surprisingly, wild-type CD8⁺ memory T cells expanded normally in primed OX40 ligand- or 4-1BB ligand-deflcient mice. However, when wild-type memory cells were generated in OX40 ligand- or 4-1BB ligand-deficient mice, their secondary expansion was impaired. This provides the novel concept that stimulation of CD8⁺ T cells by OX40 and 4-1BB ligand during priming imprints into them the capacity for secondary expansion. Our data argue that ligand on dendritic cells and/or B cells may be critical for this.