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Lifespan of lymphocytes

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Abstract

T and B lymphocytes comprise heterogeneous populations of cells at various stages of differentiation and activation. T-and B-cell subsets have different roles in the maintenance of immune homeostasis, and their functional differences are reflected by their respective lifespans. This review briefly summarizes the available data on lymphocyte lifespan, including the kinetics of T- and B-cell development in the primary lymphoid organs and the proliferative behavior of naive, effector and memory lymphocytes in the peripheral lymphoid compartment.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Immunology, IMM4, Scripps Research Institute, 10666 N. Torrey Pines Road, 92037, La Iolla, CA, USA

    David F. Tough & Jonathan Sprent

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  1. David F. Tough
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  2. Jonathan Sprent
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This work was supported by grants CA38355, CA25803, and AI21487 from the United States Public Health Service. Dr. Tough is the recipient of a fellowship from the Medical Research Council of Canada. Publication No. 8855-IMM from the Scripps Research Institute.

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Tough, D.F., Sprent, J. Lifespan of lymphocytes. Immunol Res 14, 1–12 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02918494

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