Dynamic response of murine gut intraepithelial T cells after infection by the coccidian parasite Eimeria.
The response of murine intraepithelial lymphocyte (IEL) populations to challenge by Eimeria vermiformis, a naturally occurring protozoan parasite of the gut epithelium, has been studied. The number of recoverable IEL increased within 3 days post infection, was depleted by day 7 post infection, but was significantly increased again by about day 14 post infection. Special attention was paid to gamma delta+ IEL T cells, because they are of unknown functions. These cells showed changes in numbers similar to the total IEL population. Moreover, by day 3, increased expression was detected among gamma delta+ IEL T cells, of T cell receptor genes not constitutively associated with the intestine. These results demonstrate that the IEL repertoire, and within that, the gamma delta+ T cell repertoire, can be extremely dynamic post infection with a naturally occurring epithelial-tropic pathogen. In considering the potential benefits of such IEL changes, we hypothesize that they may be relevant to the transient protection of the host's epithelium, both from parasitic re-infection, and from potentially damaging inflammation.
Findly
R C
RC
Central Research Division, Pfizer Inc., Groton, CT.
Roberts
S J
SJ
Hayday
A C
AC
D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D003048:Coccidiosis / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D017931:DNA Primers / Q000235:genetics; D004064:Digestive System / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D004539:Eimeria / Q000276:immunology*; D004848:Epithelium / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D015870:Gene Expression; D006410:Hematopoiesis; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D016692:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D013997:Time Factors
D017931:DNA Primers; D016692:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta