AUTHOR=Yi Linglu , Yang Li 

TITLE=Stem-like T cells and niches: Implications in human health and disease

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Immunology

VOLUME=13

YEAR=2022

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/immunology/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2022.907172

DOI=10.3389/fimmu.2022.907172

ISSN=1664-3224

ABSTRACT=<p>Recently, accumulating evidence has elucidated the important role of T cells with stem-like characteristics in long-term maintenance of T cell responses and better patient outcomes after immunotherapy. The fate of T<sub>SL</sub> cells has been correlated with many physiological and pathological human processes. In this review, we described present advances demonstrating that stem-like T (T<sub>SL)</sub> cells are central players in human health and disease. We interpreted the evolutionary characteristics, mechanism and functions of T<sub>SL</sub> cells. Moreover, we discuss the import role of distinct niches and how they affect the stemness of T<sub>SL</sub> cells. Furthermore, we also outlined currently available strategies to generate T<sub>SL</sub> cells and associated affecting factors. Moreover, we summarized implication of T<sub>SL</sub> cells in therapies in two areas: stemness enhancement for vaccines, ICB, and adoptive T cell therapies, and stemness disruption for autoimmune disorders.</p>