title: An in vitro model for the expansion of V gamma 9 delta 2 T lymphocytes during development.
abstract: The gamma/delta T lymphocytes represent a minority of T lymphocytes in human peripheral blood. Although there have been reports of reactivity against (myco-) bacterial antigens and heat shock proteins, their function and antigen specificity remain ill defined. The biological role of gamma/delta T cells has been related to functions within the 'first line of defense'. Similar to gamma/delta T lymphocytes in the T-cell compartment, CD5 positive B cells represent a small subset of B lymphocytes, which is thought to be involved in the maintenance of natural immunity and autoimmunity. We provide evidence for the cooperation of gamma/delta T cells and CD5 positive B cells in the proliferative response of gamma/delta T cells to bacterial antigens. Our data indicate a strong proliferation of V gamma 9 delta 2 T cells in response to gram-negative bacteria, which is dependent upon the presence of CD5 positive B-CLL or activated normal B lymphocytes. The selective stimulation of the V gamma 9 delta 2 subpopulation by gram-negative bacteria is also confirmed by analysis of different gamma/delta T-cell clones. The interaction of gamma/delta T cells with activated B cells and gram-negative bacteria may prove to be a useful model similar to the expansion of the V gamma 9 delta 2 subpopulation during development. In addition, our in vitro system should provide new insights in the interaction of CLL B cells with the immune system and the antigens recognized by gamma/delta T cells.
authors.affiliation: Med. Poliklinik, University of Wuerzburg, Germany.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wilhelm
authors.forename: H P
authors.initials: HP
authors.lastname: Tony
mesh_terms: D000942:Antigens, Bacterial / Q000276:immunology*; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000276:immunology*; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D018956:CD5 Antigens; D002455:Cell Division / Q000276:immunology; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D006801:Humans; D015451:Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell / Q000276:immunology; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000276:immunology; D018448:Models, Immunological; D014066:Palatine Tonsil / Q000166:cytology; D016692:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta / Q000276:immunology*; D013154:Spleen / Q000166:cytology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured
chemical_list: D000942:Antigens, Bacterial; D015703:Antigens, CD; D018956:CD5 Antigens; D016692:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta