Transcriptional programming of tissue-resident memory CD8+ T cells

Tissue-resident memory CD8(+) T cells (T-RM) are localized in non-lymphoid tissues throughout the body where they mediate long-lived protective immunity at common sites of pathogen exposure. As the signals controlling T-RM differentiation are uncovered, it is becoming apparent that the dynamic activities of numerous transcription factors are intricately involved in T-RM formation. Here, we highlight known transcriptional regulators of T-RM differentiation and discuss how understanding the transcriptional programming of CD8(+) T cell residency in non-lymphoid tissues can be leveraged to prevent or treat disease.