title: Gamma delta T cell receptor variable region usage during the development of experimental allergic encephalomyelitis.
abstract: The molecular diversity of gamma delta T cells has not previously been investigated in experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE). This study characterised the gamma delta T cell receptor (TCR) variable (V) region repertoires of T cells infiltrating the brains of EAE mice during development of the disease. TCR gamma- and delta-specific cDNAs were synthesised from total RNA prepared from brain samples and transcription of rearranged V genes was assessed by polymerase chain reaction amplification of TCR V-C transcripts and Southern blot analysis. In the early stages of EAE, the TCR gamma-chain repertoire consisted of V gamma 1-3 and V gamma 6 transcripts and, similarly, a few V delta transcripts that used primarily V delta 1, V delta 4 and V delta 5 gene segments were detected. During the progression of EAE, however, most V gamma and V delta TCR transcripts were observed in the brain. These results indicate that in the course of murine EAE there is an initial infiltration into the brain of a restricted population of gamma delta T cells followed by a heterogeneous gamma delta TCR repertoire as the disease develops. Moreover, the data suggest that gamma delta T cells may play a role in the pathogenesis of demyelinating autoimmune disease.
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D015139:Blotting, Southern; D001921:Brain / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D001923:Brain Chemistry; D017931:DNA Primers / Q000276:immunology; D004681:Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D006168:Guinea Pigs; D007135:Immunoglobulin Variable Region / Q000276:immunology*; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000737:chemistry; D051379:Mice; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis / Q000648:ultrastructure; D016692:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D017931:DNA Primers; D007135:Immunoglobulin Variable Region; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D016692:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta