Distribution of gamma delta T-cells in the bronchial tree of smokers and non-smokers.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the distribution of gamma delta T-cells in the human bronchial tree; and to compare quantitatively the differences between gamma delta T-cell numbers in different parts of the airway wall in smokers and non-smokers.


METHODS
Full thickness bronchial wall sections were taken from 10 whole lung specimens from both smokers and non-smokers. Serial cryostat sections stained with the monoclonal antibodies CD3 and TCR delta-1 were examined with the aid of interactive image analysis to assess gamma delta T-cell numbers both in absolute terms and as a proportion of total T lymphocyte numbers.


RESULTS
In all cases gamma delta T-cells were demonstrable throughout the airway wall. Although in absolute terms they tend to occur predominantly in the bronchial epithelium, this seems to reflect higher numbers of T lymphocytes in the epithelium in general compared with the submucosa. No genuine epitheliotropism is evident. Comparison by smoking status shows a significant increase in gamma delta T-cell numbers in the bronchial glands of smokers compared with non-smokers.


CONCLUSIONS
gamma delta T-cells form an integral though variable component of the immunocompetent cell population of the human airway in both smokers and non-smokers. Although epitheliotropism does not exist in the bronchial tree, gamma delta T-cells seem to form a significant part of the bronchial gland inflammation associated with smoking.
Richmond
I
I
Department of Histopathology, Freeman Hospital, Newcastle upon Tyne.
Pritchard
G E
GE
Ashcroft
T
T
Corris
P A
PA
Walters
E H
EH
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001980:Bronchi / Q000473:pathology*; D004848:Epithelium / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016692:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta / Q000032:analysis; D012907:Smoking / Q000473:pathology*; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000737:chemistry
D016692:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta