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Volume 15
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10.3390/cells15050403
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Review

CD57-Expressing Lymphocytes: From Chronic Viral Response to Age-Related Inflammation

by
Isabel María Vallejo-Bermúdez
1,2,†,
Mabel Rocio Miranda-Echagüe
1,†,
Silvia Fernández-Álvarez
2,
Irene Reina-Alfonso
1,2,
Laura Blanca-Pariente
1,2,
Alexander Batista-Duharte
1,2,* and
Alejandra Pera
1,2,*
1
Immunology and Allergy Group (GC01), Maimonides Biomedical Research Institute of Cordoba (IMIBIC), University of Cordoba, Reina Sofia University Hospital, Av. Menendez Pidal s/n, 14004 Cordoba, Spain
2
Department of Cell Biology, Physiology and Immunology, University of Cordoba, Av. Menendez Pidal s/n, 14004 Cordoba, Spain
*
Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed.
†
These authors contributed equally to this work.
Cells 2026, 15(5), 403; https://doi.org/10.3390/cells15050403
Submission received: 10 February 2026 / Revised: 16 February 2026 / Accepted: 24 February 2026 / Published: 26 February 2026
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Targeting Immune Dysfunction in Aging and Age-Related Diseases)
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Abstract

CD57-expressing lymphocytes constitute a distinct subset of immune cells with enhanced cytotoxic and pro-inflammatory functions. Initially described in the context of chronic viral infections, most notably cytomegalovirus (CMV), these cells are now recognized as central contributors to immunosenescence and age-related immune dysregulation. Their progressive accumulation reflects prolonged antigenic exposure and sustained immune activation, thereby linking persistent viral infections with long-term disruptions of immune homeostasis. Emerging evidence indicates that CD57 expression denotes a state of terminal differentiation in both T and natural killer (NK) cell compartments, and is associated with cytotoxicity, altered cytokine secretion, and a pro-inflammatory phenotype. This review summarizes the phenotypic and functional characteristics of CD57+ lymphocytes, examines their association with CMV and other chronic viral infections, and explores their potential role in ageing and age-related diseases. Elucidating the biology of CD57+ lymphocytes in the context of chronic viral infections may provide novel insights into immune ageing and help identify potential targets for therapeutic strategies aimed at restoring immune balance in older adults.
Keywords: CD57+ lymphocytes; immunosenescence; cytomegalovirus (CMV); T cells; NK cells; terminal differentiation CD57+ lymphocytes; immunosenescence; cytomegalovirus (CMV); T cells; NK cells; terminal differentiation

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MDPI and ACS Style

Vallejo-Bermúdez, I.M.; Miranda-Echagüe, M.R.; Fernández-Álvarez, S.; Reina-Alfonso, I.; Blanca-Pariente, L.; Batista-Duharte, A.; Pera, A. CD57-Expressing Lymphocytes: From Chronic Viral Response to Age-Related Inflammation. Cells 2026, 15, 403. https://doi.org/10.3390/cells15050403

AMA Style

Vallejo-Bermúdez IM, Miranda-Echagüe MR, Fernández-Álvarez S, Reina-Alfonso I, Blanca-Pariente L, Batista-Duharte A, Pera A. CD57-Expressing Lymphocytes: From Chronic Viral Response to Age-Related Inflammation. Cells. 2026; 15(5):403. https://doi.org/10.3390/cells15050403

Chicago/Turabian Style

Vallejo-Bermúdez, Isabel María, Mabel Rocio Miranda-Echagüe, Silvia Fernández-Álvarez, Irene Reina-Alfonso, Laura Blanca-Pariente, Alexander Batista-Duharte, and Alejandra Pera. 2026. "CD57-Expressing Lymphocytes: From Chronic Viral Response to Age-Related Inflammation" Cells 15, no. 5: 403. https://doi.org/10.3390/cells15050403

APA Style

Vallejo-Bermúdez, I. M., Miranda-Echagüe, M. R., Fernández-Álvarez, S., Reina-Alfonso, I., Blanca-Pariente, L., Batista-Duharte, A., & Pera, A. (2026). CD57-Expressing Lymphocytes: From Chronic Viral Response to Age-Related Inflammation. Cells, 15(5), 403. https://doi.org/10.3390/cells15050403

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