IL-2 is required for the generation of viral-specific CD4+ Th1 tissue-resident memory cells and B cells are essential for maintenance in the lung

CD4⁺ tissue resident cells are an important first line of defense against viral infections in the lungs and are critical for promoting the localization of lung resident CD8⁺ T cells. However, relatively little is known about the signaling programs required for the development of viral-specific CD4⁺ tissue resident cells in the lungs. Recently, it was shown that signaling through the high affinity IL-2 receptor is required for the differentiation of lung-resident Th2 memory (Trm) cells in a murine model of airway inflammation. We therefore tested if IL-2 signaling is also required for the development of viral antigen-specific CD4⁺ Th1 cells in the lung after intranasal infection with LCMV. These studies demonstrate that Th1 CD4⁺ T cells also require IL-2 for lung Trm development. Additionally, they show that B cells potently inhibit early Th1 cell lung residency, but are required for the maintenance of a long-lived population of CD4⁺ Th1 Trm.

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