T cells use TNF and IFNγ for paracrine killing with target discrimination programmed by pathogen-derived factors
Matthew C. Guttormson, Erica N. Krogman, Allison R. Carr, Skylar A. Rizzo, Josey Muske, Maia Ziaee, Nicholas R. Therrien, Nicholas D. Sun, Romina Ghale, Michael J. Medlyn, Daniel D. Billadeau, Larry R. Pease, Kathryn A. Knoop, Adrian T. Ting
The paper shows T cells can kill target cells via TNF and IFNγ in a paracrine, perforin-independent manner, with pathogen-derived factors enabling selective elimination of infected cells.
bioRxiv · Dec 25, 2025 · PreprintImmunology