Role of L3T4+ and 38+ T-cell subsets in resistance against infection with Treponema pallidum subsp. pertenue in hamsters.
The protective immunity conferred by T-cell subsets against infection with Treponema pallidum subsp. pertenue was studied. We demonstrated that hamster T cells can be separated into two subsets by monoclonal antibody (MAb) GK 1.5 (anti-L3T4) and MAb 38. Eighty-five percent of hamster thymocytes were L3T4+ and 87% were 38+ cells; 84% were dual positive for MAbs anti-L3T4 and 38. In the peripheral lymph nodes, however, the L3T4+ and 38+ T cells were mutually exclusive according to two-color immunofluorescence analysis. The two T-cell subsets were found to be functionally distinct according to their secretion of interleukin 2 (IL-2) when stimulated with concanavalin A. The L3T4+ cells secreted IL-2 and had characteristics of T helper cells, while the 38+ cells did not secrete IL-2 and appeared to be T cytotoxic-suppressor cells. Transfer of 4 x 10(6) helper or cytotoxic-suppressor T lymphocytes from T. pallidum subsp. pertenue-immune hamsters protected irradiated naive hamsters against challenge with this subspecies. IL-2 production could still be detected in the irradiated recipients 12 days after irradiation of naive recipients, although at a low level. This suggests that the remaining lymph node cells could support the survival and expansion of the infused cytotoxic-suppressor T cells. No accumulation of macrophages was observed in regional lymph nodes of immune T-cell recipients within 10 days of infection. Instead, there was an influx of polymorphonuclear neutrophils in all animals injected with T. pallidum subsp. pertenue. This report demonstrates that hamster T cells can be separated into two phenotypically and functionally distinct subsets and that both T-cell subsets confer protection against challenge with T. pallidum subsp. pertenue.
Liu
H
H
Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Wisconsin, Madison 53706.
Alder
J D
JD
Steiner
B M
BM
Stein-Streilein
J
J
Lim
L
L
Schell
R F
RF
D000818:Animals; D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte / Q000032:analysis*; D006224:Cricetinae; D005260:Female; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000494:pharmacology; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000276:immunology; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008297:Male; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000276:immunology; D010587:Phagocytosis; D013587:Syphilis / Q000276:immunology*; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000276:immunology*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology
D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte; D007376:Interleukin-2