Similarities and differences in CD4+ and CD8+ effector and memory T cell generation

Naive CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells undergo unique developmental programs after activation, resulting in the generation of effector and long-lived memory T cells. Recent evidence indicates that both cell-intrinsic and cell-extrinsic factors regulate memory T cell differentiation. This review compares and contrasts how naive CD4(+) and CD8(+) T cells make the transition to effector and/or memory cells and discusses the implications of these findings for vaccine development.