Different cytokine production profiles of gamma delta T cell clones: relation to inflammatory arthritis.
This study was performed to investigate whether gamma delta T cells could also be divided into subsets, identified by a cytokine profile, as described for alpha beta T helper (Th) cell subsets. Cytokine production was studied in 22 gamma delta T cell clones obtained from the synovial fluid and peripheral blood of one patient with inflammatory arthritis and compared to that of 26 alpha beta T cell clones of the same and different patients. Interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) was produced by 18 (82%) and interleukin-4 (IL-4) by 17 (77%) out of 22 gamma delta T cell clones, respectively. In contrast, IL-10 was not produced, except at very low level in one case. The mean levels of IL-4 were lower for clones derived from synovial fluid. When considering the production of IFN-gamma as an indicator of Th1 and that of IL-4 as an indicator of Th2, respectively, the most common pattern was a gamma delta Th1-like pattern, with the combination of high levels of IFN-gamma and low levels of IL-4. This pattern was found in V delta 1+ clones, all from synovial fluid. Additional patterns were also observed: a mixed, probably gamma delta Th0-like pattern with a more balanced production of both IFN-gamma and IL-4; a gamma delta Th1 pattern with the production of IFN-gamma alone; a gamma delta Th2 pattern with the production of IL-4 alone. These three patterns were also seen in blood gamma delta T cells which were all V delta 2, indicating that these patterns were independent of the V delta phenotype. gamma delta T cell clones produced lower levels of IFN-gamma (p = 0.001) and higher levels of IL-4 than alpha beta clones (p < 0.02). These differences in cytokine production between alpha beta and gamma delta subsets and within these subsets may contribute to their respective role in chronic inflammation.
Chomarat
P
P
Schering-Plough Laboratory for Immunological Research, Dardilly, France.
Kjeldsen-Kragh
J
J
Quayle
A J
AJ
Natvig
J B
JB
Miossec
P
P
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001171:Arthritis, Juvenile / Q000276:immunology*; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000276:immunology; D017252:CD3 Complex / Q000276:immunology; D002999:Clone Cells; D016207:Cytokines / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016130:Immunophenotyping; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000096:biosynthesis; D016753:Interleukin-10 / Q000096:biosynthesis; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000096:biosynthesis; D016693:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta / Q000235:genetics; D016692:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D013582:Synovial Fluid / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*
D017252:CD3 Complex; D016207:Cytokines; D016693:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta; D016692:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta; D016753:Interleukin-10; D015847:Interleukin-4; D007371:Interferon-gamma