Human gamma delta+ T cells respond to mycobacterial heat-shock protein.
Most T cells recognize antigen through the T-cell antigen receptor (TCR)alpha beta-CD3 complex on the T-cell surface. A small percentage of T cells, however, do not express alpha beta but a second type of TCR complex designated gamma delta (ref. 2). Unlike alpha beta+ lymphocytes, gamma delta+ lymphocytes do not generally express CD4 or CD8 molecules, and the nature of antigen recognition by these cells is unknown. To study antigen recognition by gamma delta+ lymphocytes we raised a gamma delta+ alpha beta- -CD4-CD8- line from an individual immune to PPD (purified protein derivative). This line showed a specific proliferative response to PPD and to a recombinant mycobacterial heat-shock protein (HSP) of relative molecular mass 65,000 (65K). The gamma delta+ line was shown to exhibit a major response to HSP in the presence of autologous antigen-presenting cells (APCs). Minor responses occurred, however, with APCs matched for some HLA class I or II antigens, whereas no response occurred with HLA-mismatched APCs. These findings, therefore, document the requirement of HSP-reactive gamma delta+ lymphocytes for histocompatible APCs.
Haregewoin
A
A
Laboratory of Infectious Diseases, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts 02115.
Soman
G
G
Hom
R C
RC
Finberg
R W
RW
D000938:Antigen-Presenting Cells / Q000276:immunology; D002460:Cell Line; D000939:Epitopes; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006680:HLA Antigens / Q000276:immunology; D006360:Heat-Shock Proteins / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D009163:Mycobacterium bovis / Q000276:immunology; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / Q000032:analysis*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D014373:Tuberculin / Q000276:immunology
D000939:Epitopes; D006680:HLA Antigens; D006360:Heat-Shock Proteins; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell; D014373:Tuberculin