Increased CD8+ T Cell Memory to Concurrent Infection at the Expense of Increased Erosion of Pre-existing Memory: The Paradoxical Role of IL-15

Abstract

The use of cytokines during vaccination, particularly IL-15, is being considered due to the unique ability of IL-15 to enhance the proliferation of memory CD8+ T cells. However, as homeostatic mechanisms limit excessive lymphocyte expansion, we addressed the consequences of this enhancement of T cell memory by IL-15. Infection of mice with either recombinant Mycobacterium bovis (BCG) expressing IL-15 (BCG-IL-15) or BCG and purified IL-15 resulted in an increased CD44, IL-2Rβ expression and increased frequency of IFN-γ-secreting CD8+ T cells. Surprisingly, the enhancement of memory to concurrent infection by IL-15 exacerbated the attrition of pre-existing memory. Infection of mice with Listeria monocytogenes expressing OVA resulted in potent OVA257–264-specific CD8+ T cell memory, and a challenge of these mice with either BCG-IL-15 or BCG and purified IL-15 resulted in an increased erosion of OVA257–264-specific CD8+ T cell memory, relative to BCG. Enhancement in the erosion of OVA-specific CD8+ T cell memory by BCG-IL-15 resulted in a consequently greater impairment in protection against a challenge with OVA-expressing tumor cells. We thus raise important questions regarding vaccinations that are aimed at maximizing T cell memory without considering the impact on pre-existing T cell memory.