Lifespans of naive, memory and effector lymphocytes.
Level 5 - mechanism / opinion, no new human data
Narrative review of basic immunological mechanisms without new primary human data or systematic review methodology
PubMed 8347304 · doi:10.1016/0952-7915(93)90065-z
What was done
This is a narrative review describing the selection, lifespan, and turnover characteristics of naive, memory, and effector T and B lymphocytes.
What was found
The abstract reports no numerical data. It qualitatively notes that mature naive T and B lymphocytes in secondary lymphoid organs are long-lived cells selected from short-lived precursors. Specific antigen contact triggers rapid proliferation and differentiation into short-lived effector cells and long-lived memory cells. Memory cells display rapid turnover and their survival appears to depend on persistent antigen contact.
Why it matters
It summarizes conceptual frameworks regarding how immunological memory is maintained and how distinct lymphocyte subsets regulate survival and turnover.
Limits
The abstract reports no quantitative measurements, sample sizes, or study counts. As a narrative review, it lacks systematic search methodology and primary experimental details.
Cited by
- contradicts The cells that make up the human immune system turn over and are replaced with new cells every 90 to 120 days.