Intracellular Galectin-3 Is Essential for OX40-Mediated Memory CD8 T Cell Development.

CD8 T cells are critical mediators of adaptive immunity, and enhancing their function can promote robust responses against invading pathogens and neoplastic cells. In addition to TCR stimulation, the provision of costimulation through ligation of TNFR family members, such as OX40 (CD134), provides essential signals driving T cell differentiation, survival, and memory in part through enhanced IL-2/IL-2R signaling. Interestingly, TCR stimulation in the presence of IL-2 upregulates intracellular expression of the β-galactoside binding protein, Galectin-3 (Gal-3).