Journal article
Physiological microbial exposure normalizes memory T cell surveillance of the brain and modifies host seizure outcomes
Nature immunology, Vol.26(7), pp.1087-1098
07/2025
DOI: 10.1038/s41590-025-02174-y
PMCID: PMC12213194
PMID: 40514419
Abstract
Recent studies have highlighted the presence of memory T cells in human brains, some of which are specific for peripheral infections. To address their potential origins, we used two models of polymicrobial exposure to 'normalize' the immune systems of specific pathogen-free mice and queried the impact on brain T cell biology. Here, we show that cohousing and sequential infection induce marked enhancement of memory T cells in the brain tissue of mice. These resident and circulating memory T cells localized to diverse brain regions where dynamic interactions with myeloid cells occurred. Following an induced seizure, brain-localized memory T cells were functionally altered in microbe-experienced mice. Microbial exposure also induced T cell-dependent changes in seizure duration. These data not only suggest a potential origin for memory T cells in human brains but also reveal the ability of these cells to modulate brain biology, prompting the future utilization of microbe-experienced mice in studies of neurological health and disease.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Physiological microbial exposure normalizes memory T cell surveillance of the brain and modifies host seizure outcomes
- Creators
- Madison R Mix - University of IowaBenjamin L Kreitlow - University of IowaRoger R Berton - University of IowaJulie Xu - University of Minnesota Medical CenterCori E Fain - University of IowaStephanie van de Wall - University of IowaLecia L Pewe - University of IowaLisa S Hancox - University of IowaMariah A Hassert - University of IowaShravan Kumar Kannan - University of IowaSahaana A Arumugam - University of IowaCassie M Sievers - University of IowaGordon F Buchanan - University of IowaThomas S Griffith - University of Minnesota Medical CenterVladimir P Badovinac - University of IowaJohn T Harty - University of Iowa
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Nature immunology, Vol.26(7), pp.1087-1098
- DOI
- 10.1038/s41590-025-02174-y
- PMID
- 40514419
- PMCID
- PMC12213194
- NLM abbreviation
- Nat Immunol
- ISSN
- 1529-2916
- eISSN
- 1529-2916
- Publisher
- NATURE PORTFOLIO
- Grant note
- AI167847 / U.S. Department of Health & Human Services | NIH | National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) AI185067 / U.S. Department of Health & Human Services | NIH | National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) GM139776 / U.S. Department of Health & Human Services | National Institutes of Health (NIH) GM134880 / U.S. Department of Health & Human Services | National Institutes of Health (NIH) GM140881 / U.S. Department of Health & Human Services | National Institutes of Health (NIH) GT17729 / Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) NS129722 / U.S. Department of Health & Human Services | National Institutes of Health (NIH) AI007485 / U.S. Department of Health & Human Services | National Institutes of Health (NIH) AI114543 / U.S. Department of Health & Human Services | National Institutes of Health (NIH) Ai178159 / U.S. Department of Health & Human Services | NIH | National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
- Language
- English
- Electronic publication date
- 06/13/2025
- Date published
- 07/2025
- Academic Unit
- Neurology; Pathology; Iowa Neuroscience Institute
- Record Identifier
- 9984832186002771
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