gamma delta T cells in the human intestine express surface markers of activation and are preferentially located in the epithelium.
We have investigated the expression of the alpha beta and the gamma delta T cell receptor (TCR) in the human intestine. By immunohistology we found that 39% of CD3+ intraepithelial lymphocytes (IEL) expressed the gamma delta TCR compared to 3% of CD3+ lamina propria lymphocytes (LPL). Cytofluorometric analysis of isolated cells revealed a significantly higher proportion of gamma delta T cells among CD3+ IEL compared to LPL and peripheral blood lymphocytes. This was due to an increase in both CD8+ (low density) and CD4-CD8- gamma delta T cells in IEL. Most alpha beta IEL expressed high-density CD8. About 30% of both IEL and LPL expressed CD25 (alpha-chain of the IL-2 receptor). HML-1 expression was detected on nearly all IEL and on 27% of LPL. CD25 and HML-1 were preferentially expressed on intestinal alpha beta and gamma delta T cells, respectively. Thus, human gamma delta T cells are located preferentially in the gut epithelium and are phenotypically different from alpha beta T cells, which constitute the majority of both LPL and IEL.
Ullrich
R
R
Medical Department, Klinikum Steglitz, Free University of Berlin, West Germany.
Schieferdecker
H L
HL
Ziegler
K
K
Riecken
E O
EO
Zeitz
M
M
D000328:Adult; D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte / Q000032:analysis*; D015704:CD4 Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D016827:CD8 Antigens; D004847:Epithelial Cells; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D007422:Intestines / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology*; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008875:Middle Aged; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / Q000145:classification*; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2 / Q000032:analysis; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*
D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte; D015704:CD4 Antigens; D016827:CD8 Antigens; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2