Given the involvement of TCR signals in the production of new MP CD4 T cells, the difference in average levels of proliferation within bulk MP CD4 T cells and antigen-specific memory observed by Younes and colleagues [17] might be explained quite simply by the fact that MP T cells are continually produced in response to chronic stimuli with self or commensal antigens, while LCMV-specific memory will become less proliferative with time post-challenge as the acute infection resolves. This evidence concerns the gene CD4 and infection.