Sequential appearance of gamma/delta- and alpha/beta-bearing T cells in the peritoneal cavity during an i.p. infection with Listeria monocytogenes.
To search for a potential role of T cell antigen receptor (TcR) gamma/delta-bearing cells in host-defense against Listeria monocytogenes, we analyzed the sequential appearance of gamma/delta and alpha/beta T cell in the peritoneal exudate cells (PEC) during an i.p. infection with sublethal dose (2 X 10(3) of viable Listeria organisms in mice. The PEC on day 1 after the infection consisted of 48% macrophages and 50% lymphocytes, most of which were surface IgM+ (B) cells. The number of PEC increased to the maximal level by day 3. The PEC at this stage contained an appreciable number of CD3+ T cells in addition to a large number of macrophages. Of the CD3+ cells, the proportion of CD4- CD8- cells, most of which expressed no TcR alpha/beta, increased to the maximal level on day 3 after the infection. In correlation with an increased number of CD3+ CD4- CD8- TcR alpha/beta- cells, high level of TcR gamma/delta chain gene messages was detected in the nonadherent population of the PEC on this stage. On the other hand, the PEC on day 8 contained an increased number of CD4+ CD8- and CD4- CD8+ cells which expressed TcR alpha/beta chain on their surface. These results suggest that the gamma/delta T cells precede the alpha/beta T cells in appearance during listerial infection. The gamma/delta T cells may be involved at the first line of the host-defense against Listeria.
Ohga
S
S
Department of Immunology, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan.
Yoshikai
Y
Y
Takeda
Y
Y
Hiromatsu
K
K
Nomoto
K
K
D000818:Animals; D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte / Q000032:analysis; D015152:Blotting, Northern; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000235:genetics; D008088:Listeriosis / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008809:Mice, Inbred C3H; D010529:Peritoneal Cavity / Q000166:cytology; D010538:Peritonitis / Q000276:immunology; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D013997:Time Factors
D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell; D007371:Interferon-gamma