Human Liver Memory CD8+ T Cells Use Autophagy for Tissue Residence (Cell Reports)

Swadling et al. show that an increased rate of basal autophagy is a hallmark of intrahepatic lymphocytes, particularly liver-resident CD8+ T cells and that in vitro TRM programming requires autophagy induction. Upregulation of autophagy adapts CD8+ T cells to combat mitochondrial depolarization, optimize functionality, and acquire tissue residence.