Increase of circulating gamma/delta T lymphocytes in the peripheral blood of patients affected by active inflammatory bowel disease.
In order to study the role of gamma/delta T cells in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in humans, we measured the percentage of these cells in the peripheral blood, assessed the ratio of the non-disulphide-linked (delta TCS1) type of T cell receptor (TCR) in the total gamma/delta T cells, studied the co-expression of gamma/delta TCR and accessory molecules CD8 and CD16, and compared these data with both the type and the activity of the disease. Percentage levels and absolute numbers of gamma/delta+ T cells were higher in active patients than in controls (P < 0.05), mainly as a result of an increase of V delta 1+ (delta TCS1) T cell subset (P < 0.05). This trend was strongly retained independently of disease activity and clinical picture. An increased percentage of TCR delta 1+/CD16+ cells was observed in our patients compared with controls (P < 0.05). In contrast, no difference was observed as far as the TCR delta 1+/CD8+ cells were concerned. These results suggest that IBD is associated with an expansion of gamma/delta T cells in peripheral blood, which may play a role in the pathogenesis of these disorders.
Giacomelli
R
R
Clinica Medica, University of L'Aquila, School of Medicine, Italy.
Parzanese
I
I
Frieri
G
G
Passacantando
A
A
Pizzuto
F
F
Pimpo
T
T
Cipriani
P
P
Viscido
A
A
Caprilli
R
R
Tonietti
G
G
D000328:Adult; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000097:blood; D003093:Colitis, Ulcerative / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D003424:Crohn Disease / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D016130:Immunophenotyping; D015212:Inflammatory Bowel Diseases / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology*; D018655:Lymphocyte Count; D008875:Middle Aged; D016692:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics*; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000276:immunology*
D015703:Antigens, CD; D016692:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta