Regulation of memory T cells by gamma c cytokines

T cells rely on a duality of TCR and gamma c cytokine signals for development, activation and peripheral T cell homeostasis. Previous data had suggested that the requirements for CD4 and CD8 memory T cell regulation were qualitatively distinct, but emerging data has shown that the requirements for true antigen specific memory T cells are very similar between these two cell types. This review will focus on contributions made by members of the gamma c cytokine family (IL-2, IL-4, IL-7, IL-15 and IL-21) to homeostasis of naive, memory phenotype and antigen experienced memory T cells. (C) 2009 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.