Immunological history governs human stem cell memory CD4 heterogeneity via the Wnt signaling pathway

The diversity of the naïve T cell repertoire drives the replenishment potential and capacity of memory T cells to respond to immune challenges. Attrition of the immune system is associated with an increased prevalence of pathologies in aged individuals, but whether stem cell memory T lymphocytes (T(SCM)) contribute to such attrition is still unclear. Using single cells RNA sequencing and high-dimensional flow cytometry, we demonstrate that T(SCM) heterogeneity results from differential engagement of Wnt signaling. In humans, aging is associated with the coupled loss of Wnt/β-catenin signature in CD4 T(SCM) and systemic increase in the levels of Dickkopf-related protein 1, a natural inhibitor of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. Functional assays support recent thymic emigrants as the precursors of CD4 T(SCM). Our data thus hint that reversing T(SCM) defects by metabolic targeting of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway may be a viable approach to restore and preserve immune homeostasis in the context of immunological history.