Preferential activation of peripheral blood V gamma 9+ gamma/delta T cells by group A, B and C but not group D or F streptococci.
Previous studies have established that inactivated mycobacteria are potent and selective activators of V gamma 9+/V delta 2+ human gamma/delta T cells. Here we have analysed the proliferative response of human gamma/delta T cells to five serologically distinct groups of streptococci. While heat-inactivated streptococci of all five serogroups tested (A, B, C, D and F) induced a strong proliferative response in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC), only groups A, B and C elicited a selective activation of V gamma 9+ gamma/delta T cells in 10 (serogroup B) or 11 (serogroups A and C) of 11 tested healthy individuals. In striking contrast, groups D and F streptococci failed to activate gamma/delta T cells in nine of 11 donors and induced only a weak gamma/delta T cell response in two additional individuals. Depletion of V gamma 9+ T cells before culture completely eliminated all gamma/delta T cell responses to streptococci. These data indicate that groups A, B and C (but not D or F) streptococci can be included in the growing list of selective ligands for V gamma 9+/V delta 2+ human gamma/delta T cells.
Bender
A
A
Institute of Immunology, University of Heidelberg, Germany.
Kabelitz
D
D
D002478:Cells, Cultured; D013293:Enterococcus faecalis / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D010641:Phenotype; D016692:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta / Q000032:analysis*; D013291:Streptococcus / Q000276:immunology*; D013292:Streptococcus agalactiae / Q000276:immunology*; D013297:Streptococcus pyogenes / Q000276:immunology*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*
D016692:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta