[Induction and functional analysis of gamma delta TCR-bearing T cells from human tonsil by Streptococcus pyogenes stimulation].
The killer cell characteristics of gamma delta TCR-bearing T cells induced from human tonsil by streptococcus pyogenes stimulation were examined. Immunohistologic staining of tonsil showed that gamma delta TCR-bearing T cells were mainly located in the interfollicular area connected with stratified squamous epithelium. Streptococcus pyogenes could induce the proliferation of gamma delta TCR-bearing T cells from tonsil in the presence of low-dose of IL-2. This streptococcus pyogenes-induced gamma delta TCR-bearing T cell proliferation was likely to be independent on the IL-2/IL-2R system since an obvious inhibition was not observed with anti-IL-2 and anti-IL-2R mAbs. More importantly, these gamma delta TCR-bearing T cells exhibited cell-mediated cytotoxic activity in a 4 hr 51 Cr-release assay. In addition, immunocytochemical staining revealed that these cells contained a killer protein perforin. These results demonstrate that gamma delta TCR-bearing T cells from tonsil exhibit typical killer cell characteristics. These data also suggest that gamma delta TCR-bearing T cells in human tonsil may play a cytotoxic role in protecting the integrity of tonsil from infection.
Seki
M
M
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Juntendo University, School of Medicine, Tokyo.
Ichikawa
G
G
Kobata
T
T
Okumura
K
K
D003602:Cytotoxicity, Immunologic; D006801:Humans; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology; D014066:Palatine Tonsil / Q000276:immunology*; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / Q000378:metabolism*; D016692:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta; D013297:Streptococcus pyogenes / Q000276:immunology*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology*
D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell; D016692:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta