T cells expressing the V beta 1 T-cell receptor are required for IgA production in the chicken.
While alpha beta T cells in mammals may express one of many variable (V) gene families in the beta locus, chickens have only two V beta gene families. The avian V beta 2+ T cells are recognized by the T-cell receptor 3 (TCR3) monoclonal antibody and V beta 1+ T cells are recognized by the TCR2 antibody, which we used to selectively suppress development of V beta 1+ T cells in order to examine their functional role. Suppression was accomplished by multiple injections of anti-TCR2 antibodies beginning in embryonic life and perpetuated by thymectomy 8 days after hatching. Young birds thus depleted of V beta 1+ T cells had greater than normal numbers of V beta 2+ T cells and appeared as healthy as thymectomized and untreated controls. While production of IgM and IgG antibodies was unimpaired, IgA antibody production was severely compromised in the V beta 1-depleted birds. The levels of secretory IgA in bile and lung lavage fluid were reduced 1000- to 10,000-fold and secretory IgA antibodies were not produced in response to mucosal immunization. B-cell production of IgA antibodies thus appears to require T cells expressing the V beta 1 genes, whereas T cells that express the V beta 2 genes lack this capacity.
Cihak
J
J
Institute for Animal Physiology, University of Munich, Federal Republic of Germany.
Hoffmann-Fezer
G
G
Ziegler-Heibrock
H W
HW
Stein
H
H
Kaspers
B
B
Chen
C H
CH
Cooper
M D
MD
Lösch
U
U
D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000917:Antibody Formation; D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte / Q000032:analysis; D001646:Bile / Q000276:immunology; D001992:Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid / Q000276:immunology; D017252:CD3 Complex; D002645:Chickens; D007070:Immunoglobulin A / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D046911:Macromolecular Substances; D005810:Multigene Family; D009928:Organ Specificity; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology*; D013154:Spleen / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D013666:Tears / Q000276:immunology; D013934:Thymectomy
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte; D017252:CD3 Complex; D007070:Immunoglobulin A; D046911:Macromolecular Substances; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell