AUTHOR=Fazeli Pooria , Kalani Mehdi , Hosseini Maryam 

TITLE=T memory stem cell characteristics in autoimmune diseases and their promising therapeutic values

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Immunology

VOLUME=14

YEAR=2023

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/immunology/articles/10.3389/fimmu.2023.1204231

DOI=10.3389/fimmu.2023.1204231

ISSN=1664-3224

ABSTRACT=<p>Memory T cells are conventionally subdivided into T central memory (T<sub>CM</sub>) and T effector memory (T<sub>EM</sub>) cells. However, a new subset of memory T cells named T memory stem cell (T<sub>SCM</sub>) cells has been recognized that possesses capabilities of both T<sub>CM</sub> and T<sub>EM</sub> cells including lymphoid homing and performing effector roles through secretion of cytokines such as interleukin-2 (IL-2) and interferon-gamma (IFN-γ). The T<sub>SCM</sub> subset has some biological properties including stemness, antigen independency, high proliferative potential, signaling pathway and lipid metabolism. On the other hand, memory T cells are considered one of the principal culprits in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases. T<sub>SCM</sub> cells are responsible for developing long-term defensive immunity against different foreign antigens, alongside tumor-associated antigens, which mainly derive from self-antigens. Hence, antigen-specific T<sub>SCM</sub> cells can produce antitumor responses that are potentially able to trigger autoimmune activities. Therefore, we reviewed recent evidence on T<sub>SCM</sub> cell functions in autoimmune disorders including type 1 diabetes, systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, acquired aplastic anemia, immune thrombocytopenia, and autoimmune uveitis. We also introduced T<sub>SCM</sub> cell lineage as an innovative prognostic biomarker and a promising therapeutic target in autoimmune settings.</p>