Nasal resident memory CD8 T cells adopt antiviral transcriptional programs during viral transmission

While previous studies focused on lung resident memory T cells in the context of direct intranasal infection models, we utilize a natural respiratory virus transmission model to examine the transcriptional changes in antigen-specific nasal resident memory CD8 T cells during their initial response to infection.

Here, we demonstrate that during respiratory virus transmission, nasal resident memory CD8 T cells adopt antiviral transcriptional programs denoted by expression of classical CD8 T cell activation and effector function genes, further supporting the development of upper respiratory tract targeting vaccination strategies.