In vivo modulation of cytolytic activity and Thy-1 expression in TCR-gamma delta+ intraepithelial lymphocytes.
Although the functional aspects of the alpha beta T cell antigen receptor (TCR) found on most peripheral T cells are well described, the function of the gamma delta TCR remains unclear. Murine intraepithelial lymphocytes (IEL) of the small intestine are CD8+, express the gamma delta TCR, and are constitutively lytic. Fresh IEL from germ-free mice had no lytic activity. Moreover, whereas IEL from normal mice are 30 to 50 percent Thy-1+, IEL from germ-free did not express Thy-1. Acclimation of germ-free mice to nonsterile conditions resulted in the generation of Thy-1+ IEL and induction of lytic activity. Thus CD8+ TCR-gamma delta IEL were regulated by externally derived stimuli via a specific functional interaction between IEL and gut-associated antigens.
Lefrancois
L
L
Department of Cell Biology, Upjohn Company, Kalamazoo, MI 49001.
Goodman
T
T
D000818:Animals; D000941:Antigens / Q000276:immunology; D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte / Q000032:analysis; D000954:Antigens, Surface / Q000032:analysis* / Q000276:immunology; D016827:CD8 Antigens; D003602:Cytotoxicity, Immunologic; D004847:Epithelial Cells; D005856:Germ-Free Life; D007163:Immunosorbent Techniques; D007421:Intestine, Small / Q000166:cytology*; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / Q000032:analysis / Q000276:immunology*; D015398:Signal Transduction; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D018800:Thy-1 Antigens
D000941:Antigens; D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte; D000954:Antigens, Surface; D016827:CD8 Antigens; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell; D018800:Thy-1 Antigens