TCR affinity defines tumor-specific CD8 T cell differentiation and dysfunction [RNA-seq]

RNA-seq analysis of tumor-specific CD8 T cells encountering tumor antigens with varying TCR/pMHC affinity. Transgenic antigen-specific CD8 T cells were adoptively transferred into tumor-bearing mice, isolated and flow-sorted from tumor draining lymph nodes and tumors at distinct time points post transfer for subsequent RNA-seq analysis. MCA 205 tumor cell lines were generated to express a defined tumor-specific model antigen, SV40 large T antigen epitope-I (TAG), as altered peptide ligands (APL), recognized by antigen-specific TCR SV40-I CD8 T cells with varying affinities (high-affinity N4, intermediate affinity F6, and low affinity D4 APL). TAG-specific effector CD8 T cells isolated during acute Listeria infection were used as controls.