Phenotype and functional profile of T cells expressing gamma delta receptor from patients with active Behçet's disease.
OBJECTIVE
Our aim was to investigate the TCR gamma delta+ subset in Behçet's disease (BD) inflammatory sites, which better reflects changes associated with the pathologic process than peripheral blood.


METHODS
Forty-five patients with active BD, 10 patients with recurrent aphthous ulcers, 12 patients with rheumatoid arthritis, 5 patients with noninflammatory neurologic diseases and 15 healthy individuals were studied. Three monoclonal antibodies TCR delta 1, BB3, and A13 were used to assess the percentage of TCR gamma delta+ in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC), in bronchoalveolar lavage and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). CD11a/CD18 was used to study adhesion molecules. TCR gamma delta+ cells isolated by immunomagnetic separation were tested for cytolytic activity against K562 target cells after interleukin 2 stimulation.


RESULTS
The PBMC TCR gamma delta BB3+ subset was significantly increased in BD. In BD inflammatory sites, TCR gamma delta+ cells were also present, composed mainly of A13+ cells from these sites also expressed CD11a marker. TCR gamma delta+ cells from inflammatory sites displayed a higher cytotoxic activity than controls, mediated by the A13+ subset.


CONCLUSIONS
The accumulation of cytotoxic TCR gamma delta+ cells at the sites of inflammation suggests their involvement in the local injury process.
Hamzaoui
K
K
Immunology Laboratory, Medical School, University of Tunis.
Hamzaoui
A
A
Hentati
F
F
Kahan
A
A
Ayed
K
K
Chabbou
A
A
Ben Hamida
M
M
Hamza
M
M
D000328:Adult; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D001528:Behcet Syndrome / Q000134:cerebrospinal fluid / Q000276:immunology*; D001992:Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid / Q000166:cytology; D003602:Cytotoxicity, Immunologic; D005260:Female; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010641:Phenotype; D016692:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta / Q000032:analysis*; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000276:immunology*; D013602:T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / Q000276:immunology*
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D016692:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta