Localization of gamma/delta T cells to the intestinal epithelium is independent of normal microbial colonization.
Using monoclonal antibodies identifying all gamma/delta and alpha/beta T cell receptors in cytofluorometric analysis, we have compared the composition of intestinal intraepithelial lymphocytes (i-IEL) in euthymic and athymic germ-free (GF) and conventional (SPF) mice. The results show a marked influence of microbial colonization in the numbers of single-positive (CD4+ or CD8+) alpha/beta i-IEL, but little effect in the pool size or characteristics of gamma/delta i-IEL. In young athymic mice, virtually no alpha/beta i-IEL are detected, while considerable numbers of gamma/delta i-IEL remain, though reduced in GF animals.
Bandeira
A
A
Unité d'Immunobiologie, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France.
Mota-Santos
T
T
Itohara
S
S
Degermann
S
S
Heusser
C
C
Tonegawa
S
S
Coutinho
A
A
D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000276:immunology; D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte / Q000276:immunology; D017252:CD3 Complex; D002469:Cell Separation; D004848:Epithelium / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D005856:Germ-Free Life / Q000276:immunology; D007422:Intestines / Q000276:immunology* / Q000382:microbiology; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D010641:Phenotype; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / Q000276:immunology*; D016693:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta; D016692:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta; D013047:Specific Pathogen-Free Organisms / Q000276:immunology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte; D017252:CD3 Complex; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell; D016693:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta; D016692:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta