CD8 T cells specific for the noninflationary M45 epitope displayed a classic
central memory phenotype, re-expressing the lymph node homing receptor CD62L and homeostatic cytokine receptors for IL - 7 and IL - 15, and produced low levels of IL - 2.
The
phenotype of NP cells generated ex vivo (Figure S8) closely resembles that of
central memory CD4 + T cells found in vivo, which persist for years in secondary lymphoid organs and can differentiate into effector
memory CD4 + T cells [45].