Gene expression signatures for CD8αβ+ intraepithelial lymphocytes and CD8αβ+ splenocytes.

CD8αβ+ intraepithelial lymphocytes (IELs) are a subset of “effector-memory-like” T cells scattered along the intestinal epithelium. To investigate if CD8αβ+ IEL can function in ways other than the conventional cytotoxic effect of CD8αβ+ T cells,CD8αβ+ IELs were compared with CD8αβ+ splenocytes (SPL) by RNA-seq. We used microarrays to identify new functions of CD8αβ+ IELs . CD8αβ+ IELs and CD8αβ+ SPLs were sorted from intraepithelium of small intestines and spleens of WT mice (8–12w).