Memory T Cells in Respiratory Virus Infections: Protective Potential and Persistent Vulnerabilities
Respiratory virus infections, such as those caused by influenza viruses, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and coronaviruses, pose a significant global health burden. While the immune system’s adaptive components, including memory T cells, are critical for recognizing and combating these pathogens,...
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MDPI AG
2025-04-01
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3271/13/2/48 |
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| author | Henry Sutanto Febrian Ramadhan Pradana Galih Januar Adytia Bagus Aditya Ansharullah Alief Waitupu Bramantono Bramantono Deasy Fetarayani |
| author_facet | Henry Sutanto Febrian Ramadhan Pradana Galih Januar Adytia Bagus Aditya Ansharullah Alief Waitupu Bramantono Bramantono Deasy Fetarayani |
| author_sort | Henry Sutanto |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Respiratory virus infections, such as those caused by influenza viruses, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and coronaviruses, pose a significant global health burden. While the immune system’s adaptive components, including memory T cells, are critical for recognizing and combating these pathogens, recurrent infections and variable disease outcomes persist. Memory T cells are a key element of long-term immunity, capable of responding swiftly upon re-exposure to pathogens. They play diverse roles, including cross-reactivity to conserved viral epitopes and modulation of inflammatory responses. However, the protective efficacy of these cells is influenced by several factors, including viral evolution, host age, and immune system dynamics. This review explores the dichotomy of memory T cells in respiratory virus infections: their potential to confer robust protection and the limitations that allow for breakthrough infections. Understanding the underlying mechanisms governing the formation, maintenance, and functional deployment of memory T cells in respiratory mucosa is critical for improving immunological interventions. We highlight recent advances in vaccine strategies aimed at bolstering T cell-mediated immunity and discuss the challenges posed by viral immune evasion. Addressing these gaps in knowledge is pivotal for designing effective therapeutics and vaccines to mitigate the global burden of respiratory viruses. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-24de63a32d2b4e2fb0537e5ad0fc6200 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2076-3271 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-04-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Medical Sciences |
| spelling | doaj-art-24de63a32d2b4e2fb0537e5ad0fc62002025-08-20T03:16:22ZengMDPI AGMedical Sciences2076-32712025-04-011324810.3390/medsci13020048Memory T Cells in Respiratory Virus Infections: Protective Potential and Persistent VulnerabilitiesHenry Sutanto0Febrian Ramadhan Pradana1Galih Januar Adytia2Bagus Aditya Ansharullah3Alief Waitupu4Bramantono Bramantono5Deasy Fetarayani6Internal Medicine Study Program, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya 60132, IndonesiaInternal Medicine Study Program, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya 60132, IndonesiaInternal Medicine Study Program, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya 60132, IndonesiaInternal Medicine Study Program, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya 60132, IndonesiaInternal Medicine Study Program, Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Airlangga, Surabaya 60132, IndonesiaDepartment of Internal Medicine, Dr. Soetomo General Academic Hospital, Surabaya 60286, IndonesiaDepartment of Internal Medicine, Dr. Soetomo General Academic Hospital, Surabaya 60286, IndonesiaRespiratory virus infections, such as those caused by influenza viruses, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and coronaviruses, pose a significant global health burden. While the immune system’s adaptive components, including memory T cells, are critical for recognizing and combating these pathogens, recurrent infections and variable disease outcomes persist. Memory T cells are a key element of long-term immunity, capable of responding swiftly upon re-exposure to pathogens. They play diverse roles, including cross-reactivity to conserved viral epitopes and modulation of inflammatory responses. However, the protective efficacy of these cells is influenced by several factors, including viral evolution, host age, and immune system dynamics. This review explores the dichotomy of memory T cells in respiratory virus infections: their potential to confer robust protection and the limitations that allow for breakthrough infections. Understanding the underlying mechanisms governing the formation, maintenance, and functional deployment of memory T cells in respiratory mucosa is critical for improving immunological interventions. We highlight recent advances in vaccine strategies aimed at bolstering T cell-mediated immunity and discuss the challenges posed by viral immune evasion. Addressing these gaps in knowledge is pivotal for designing effective therapeutics and vaccines to mitigate the global burden of respiratory viruses.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3271/13/2/48memory T cellslymphocyteadaptive immunityviral infectionimmunology |
| spellingShingle | Henry Sutanto Febrian Ramadhan Pradana Galih Januar Adytia Bagus Aditya Ansharullah Alief Waitupu Bramantono Bramantono Deasy Fetarayani Memory T Cells in Respiratory Virus Infections: Protective Potential and Persistent Vulnerabilities Medical Sciences memory T cells lymphocyte adaptive immunity viral infection immunology |
| title | Memory T Cells in Respiratory Virus Infections: Protective Potential and Persistent Vulnerabilities |
| title_full | Memory T Cells in Respiratory Virus Infections: Protective Potential and Persistent Vulnerabilities |
| title_fullStr | Memory T Cells in Respiratory Virus Infections: Protective Potential and Persistent Vulnerabilities |
| title_full_unstemmed | Memory T Cells in Respiratory Virus Infections: Protective Potential and Persistent Vulnerabilities |
| title_short | Memory T Cells in Respiratory Virus Infections: Protective Potential and Persistent Vulnerabilities |
| title_sort | memory t cells in respiratory virus infections protective potential and persistent vulnerabilities |
| topic | memory T cells lymphocyte adaptive immunity viral infection immunology |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3271/13/2/48 |
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