Motility Matters: How CD8 + T-Cell Trafficking Influences Effector and Memory Cell Differentiation

Immunological memory is a hallmark of adaptive immunity that confers long-lasting protection from reinfections. Memory CD8 T cells provide protection by actively scanning for their cognate antigen and migrating into inflamed tissues. Trafficking patterns of CD8 T cells are also a major determinant of cell fate outcomes during differentiation into effector and memory cell states. CD8 T-cell trafficking must therefore be dynamically and tightly regulated to ensure that CD8 T cells arrive at the correct locations and differentiate to acquire appropriate effector functions. This review aims to discuss the importance of CD8 T-cell trafficking patterns in regulating effector and memory differentiation, maintenance, and reactivation.