title: Immunohistochemical characterization, distribution and ultrastructure of lymphocytes bearing the gamma/delta T-cell receptor in the human gut.
abstract: The phenotypic characterization and distribution of lymphocytes bearing the gamma/delta T-cell receptor (TCR) in the human gut were investigated by an immunohistochemical technique. A mirror section technique and double staining method were used for the phenotypic analysis. Intraepithelial delta-positive cells were almost all CD8-positive and rarely negative for both CD4 and CD8. On the other hand, lymphocytes bearing TCR gamma/delta in the lamina propria were largely negative for both CD4 and CD8. The ratio of delta-positive to CD3-positive cells amongst intraepithelial lymphocytes was larger in the lower intestine. Delta-positive cells were also observed in paracortical areas of lymphoid follicles. Immunoelectron microscopic observation revealed granular structures in these delta-positive cells, which are also present in large granular lymphocytes. The role of lymphocytes bearing TCR gamma/delta in mucosal immune responses in the human gut are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, Tohoku University School of Medicine, Sendai, Japan.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Fukushima
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Masuda
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ohtani
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Sasaki
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Funayama
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Matsuno
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Nagura
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000032:analysis; D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte / Q000032:analysis; D017252:CD3 Complex; D015704:CD4 Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D016827:CD8 Antigens; D003106:Colon / Q000166:cytology; D004847:Epithelial Cells; D006801:Humans; D007082:Ileum / Q000166:cytology; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D016130:Immunophenotyping; D007422:Intestines / Q000166:cytology*; D007583:Jejunum / Q000166:cytology; D016253:Microscopy, Immunoelectron; D008875:Middle Aged; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology* / Q000648:ultrastructure
chemical_list: D015703:Antigens, CD; D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte; D017252:CD3 Complex; D015704:CD4 Antigens; D016827:CD8 Antigens; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell