title: Characterization of gamma delta T lymphocytes at the maternal-fetal interface.
abstract: A specific subset of gamma delta T lymphocytes bearing a V gamma 6V delta 1-encoded TCR is known to populate the normal nonpregnant murine uterine and vaginal epithelium. However, gamma delta T lymphocytes residing at the maternal-fetal interface during pregnancy have not yet been investigated. Using mAb and cytofluorographic analysis, we analyzed gamma delta TCR-bearing lymphocytes obtained from placental/decidual tissues of allogeneic (C57B1/10 X BALB/c and BALB/c X C57B1/10) pregnancies. Gestations were analyzed at several time points during the second half of pregnancy, with lymphocytes from both maternal spleen and nonpregnant C57B1/10 uteri analyzed as controls. We found that all gamma delta T lymphocytes at the maternal-fetal interface are maternally derived. Relative to the total T lymphocyte population, the percentage of gamma delta TCR-bearing T lymphocytes at the maternal-fetal interface is enriched three- to four-fold compared with maternal spleen, and twofold compared with nonpregnant uteri. Although one-third of gamma delta T lymphocytes from pregnant animals express a cell-surface marker associated with activation (IL-2R), gamma delta cells from uteri of nonpregnant mice fail to express IL-2R. In terms of absolute numbers, we estimate that reproductive-tract gamma delta T cells are increased nearly 100-fold in pregnant animals compared with nonpregnant animals. To characterize the TCR-gamma delta repertoire in the placenta/decidua, we generated 21 TCR-gamma delta-bearing hybridomas from lymphocytes in this tissue. Analysis of these hybridomas revealed at least six distinct gamma delta receptor types expressed at the maternal-fetal interface, with V gamma 6V delta 1 encoded TCR representing the predominant population. As specific resident constituents of the reproductive tract, gamma delta T lymphocytes may be involved in regulating a variety of physiologic and pathophysiologic events in reproductive biology.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Denver.
authors.forename: K D
authors.initials: KD
authors.lastname: Heyborne
authors.forename: R L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Cranfill
authors.forename: S R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Carding
authors.forename: W K
authors.initials: WK
authors.lastname: Born
authors.forename: R L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: O'Brien
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D016827:CD8 Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006825:Hybridomas; D016130:Immunophenotyping; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010920:Placenta / Q000276:immunology*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011247:Pregnancy; D011270:Pregnancy, Animal / Q000276:immunology*; D016692:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D013154:Spleen / Q000276:immunology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D014327:Trophoblasts / Q000276:immunology*; D014599:Uterus / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D016827:CD8 Antigens; D016692:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta