T-bet deficiency and Hic1 induction override TGF-b-dependency in the formation of CD103+ intestine-resident memory CD8+ T cells

TGF-beta signaling is required for the differentiation of gut-resident memory CD8 T cells. Here, we showed that the deficiency of transcription factor T-bet partially rescued the differentiation of TGF-beta receptor deficient gut-resident memory CD8 T cells. Hic1 induction further strengthens TRM maturation in the absence of TGF-b and T-bet. Congenically marked naïve P14 TCR transgenic CD8 T cells were adoptively transferred into sex-matched C57BL/6 recipients followed by LCMV Armstrong infection. P14 T cells with different phenotypes were FACS sorted from both spleen and small intestine intraepithelial lymphocyte compartment.