Human lymphocytes expressing a TCR gamma/delta.
A minor subset of T lymphocytes express a TCR composed of gamma and delta chains. This subset differs from conventional T cells for a number of phenotypic and functional characteristics. TCR gamma/delta + cells simultaneously lack both CD4 and CD8 antigens. Cloning of CD4-8-peripheral blood lymphocytes, under limiting dilution conditions, revealed that they are homogeneously composed of cytolytic cells which efficiently lyse tumor target cells. Formal proofs have been provided that TCR gamma/delta + cells are able to recognize antigens. For example, they proliferated in response to allogeneic mixed lymphocyte culture (MLC), in addition MLC-derived TCR gamma/delta + cells specifically lysed PHA-induced blast cells bearing the stimulating alloantigens. The selection of monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs) specific for TCR gamma/delta molecules allowed to identify two distinct subsets of TCR gamma/delta + cells. These MoAbs, termed BB3 and delta-TCS-1 (or the equivalent A13) respectively, induced specific activation of cloned cells expressing the corresponding antigenic determinants (as assessed by measurements of intracellular Ca2+ and/or lymphokine production of cytolytic activity). Analysis of the distribution of subsets expressing different forms of TCR gamma/delta, showed that the BB3-reactive form is prevalent in the peripheral blood. In contrast, delta-TCS-1-reactive cells are relatively infrequent in peripheral blood, but represent the majority of TCR gamma/delta + in the tissues.
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Istituto Nazionale per la Ricerca sul Cancro, Genoa, Italy.
Grossi
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CE
Malorni
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Arancia
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Mingari
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MC
Ferrini
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Moretta
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A
Moretta
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L
D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000276:immunology; D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte / Q000032:analysis / Q000502:physiology; D017252:CD3 Complex; D003602:Cytotoxicity, Immunologic; D015329:Gene Rearrangement, T-Lymphocyte; D006801:Humans; D016219:Immunotherapy, Adoptive; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D007959:Lymphocyte Culture Test, Mixed; D051379:Mice; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D016692:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000276:immunology*
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte; D017252:CD3 Complex; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell; D016692:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta