Protein malnutrition alters the distribution of Fc gamma R+ (T gamma) and Fc mu R+ (T mu) T lymphocytes in experimental pulmonary tuberculosis.
Inbred, strain 2 guinea pigs were given isocaloric diets containing either 30% (control diet) or 10% (low-protein diet) ovalbumin and infected 4 weeks later by the respiratory route with virulent Mycobacterium tuberculosis. By using an Fc receptor rosette assay, the proportions of T lymphocytes bearing Fc receptors for immunoglobulin G (T gamma cells) or immunoglobulin M (T mu cells) were quantified in blood and lymphoid tissues taken postinfection. A significant elevation in the proportion of the putative suppressor T subset (T gamma) in the blood of protein-deprived guinea pigs was observed at all intervals postinfection. Conversely, the levels of the putative helper T subset (T mu) in the bronchotracheal lymph nodes draining the site of virulent infection in malnourished animals were significantly reduced. Diet did not influence T gamma or T mu cells in the spleens. Diet-induced loss of purified protein derivative-specific T-cell functions in tuberculosis may be associated with alterations in the proportions of or the balances between T gamma and T mu subsets.
McMurray
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Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, College of Medicine, Texas A&M University, College Station 77843.
Bartow
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RA
Mintzer
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CL
D000818:Animals; D000943:Antigens, Differentiation / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D008297:Male; D011488:Protein Deficiency / Q000276:immunology*; D011961:Receptors, Fc / Q000032:analysis*; D017452:Receptors, IgG; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D014373:Tuberculin / Q000276:immunology; D014397:Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / Q000276:immunology*
D000943:Antigens, Differentiation; D011961:Receptors, Fc; D017452:Receptors, IgG; D014373:Tuberculin; C035311:immunoglobulin M receptor