In vitro and in vivo activation of murine gamma/delta T cells induces the expression of IgA, IgM, and IgG Fc receptors.
The present studies examined resting and activated murine gamma/delta T lymphocytes, in vitro and in vivo, for surface expression of FcR. Polyclonal gamma/delta TCR+ lymphocytes selectively grown from the spleen and intestine of normal mice did not express FcR when the cells were in a resting state, but when cells were activated with anti-CD3 antibody virtually all of the splenic gamma/delta lymphocytes and a large subpopulation of the intestinal gamma/delta lymphocytes expressed IgA and IgM FcR. This was confirmed by using transgenic mice. Resting gamma/delta TCR+ lymphocytes from the spleen, thymus, lymph node, and blood of gamma/delta TCR transgenic mice did not express FcR for any of the five major classes of Ig H chains. Activation of the gamma/delta TCR+ cells via the CD3/TCR complex induced high levels of IgM and IgA FcR and low levels of IgG FcR. Finally, in hepatic granulomas of schistosome-infected mice, activated gamma/delta TCR+ cells are present and express high levels of IgA and IgM FcR and low levels of IgG FcR. These investigations establish that transition of gamma/delta TCR+ lymphocytes from a resting to an activated state (triggered via the T3Ti TCR complex) is accompanied by the induction of surface membrane receptors specific for Ig H chain isotypes. The activation-linked expression of FcR on gamma/delta TCR+ lymphocytes provides potential mechanisms for coupling the functional activities of gamma/delta T lymphocytes with immune mechanisms that involve Ig molecules, such as antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity.
Sandor
M
M
Department of Pathology, University of Iowa College of Medicine, Iowa City 52242.
Houlden
B
B
Bluestone
J
J
Hedrick
S M
SM
Weinstock
J
J
Lynch
R G
RG
D000818:Animals; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000032:analysis; D000943:Antigens, Differentiation / Q000032:analysis*; D000944:Antigens, Differentiation, B-Lymphocyte / Q000032:analysis*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D006099:Granuloma / Q000276:immunology; D007073:Immunoglobulin E / Q000378:metabolism*; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000378:metabolism*; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000378:metabolism*; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D051379:Mice; D016692:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta / Q000032:analysis*; D011961:Receptors, Fc / Q000032:analysis*; D017455:Receptors, IgE; D017452:Receptors, IgG; D012547:Schistosoma / Q000276:immunology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*
D015703:Antigens, CD; D000943:Antigens, Differentiation; D000944:Antigens, Differentiation, B-Lymphocyte; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007075:Immunoglobulin M; D016692:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta; D011961:Receptors, Fc; D017455:Receptors, IgE; D017452:Receptors, IgG; C035311:immunoglobulin M receptor; D007073:Immunoglobulin E