Asymmetric cell division shapes naive and virtual memory T-cell immunity during ageing

Abstract Efficient immune responses rely on heterogeneity, which in CD8 + T cells, amongst other mechanisms, is achieved by asymmetric cell division (ACD). Here we find that ageing, known to negatively impact responses, impairs ACD murine and this phenotype can be rescued transient mTOR inhibition. Increased rates mitotic cells from aged mice restore the expansion memory potential of their cellular progenies. Further characterization composition reveals virtual (T VM cells), accumulate during have a unique proliferation metabolic profile, retain ability divide asymmetrically, correlates with increased potential. The opposite observed for naive mice. Our data provide evidence how modulation contributes long-term survival function offering new insights into system adapts ageing.