title: Characterization of T cells expressing the gamma/delta antigen receptor in human renal allografts.
abstract: To investigate the role of gamma/delta+ T cells in allograft rejection, we have studied the TCR phenotype and function of lymphocytes infiltrating rejecting, rejected, and nonrejecting human renal allografts. Two-color immunohistologic staining showed that 19% of rejecting biopsies and 40% of rejected nephrectomies had significant infiltration (> 10% of the total T-cell population) with gamma/delta+ T cells. No biopsies from nonrejecting kidneys showed > 10% gamma/delta+ T cells. Flow-cytometry analysis of T-cell populations expanded from rejecting and rejected allografts demonstrated that 33% of biopsy- and 40% of nephrectomy-derived populations had significant percentages (> 10%) of gamma/delta+ T cells. Six cell lines with increased numbers of gamma/delta+ T cells were tested for cytolytic activity against the NK target cell line K562 and compared with cytotoxic activity of exclusively alpha/beta T-cell populations. Lysis was noted by all gamma/delta+, but no gamma/delta-, populations. To confirm that the cytotoxicity of these gamma/delta+ T-cell populations was not MHC directed, one nephrectomy-derived population with 69% gamma/delta+ T cells by cytometry and > 50% by immunohistology was studied extensively. High levels of killing were seen against the NK targets K562 and Daudi as well as other malignant, benign, and third-party renal cell lines, but relevant alloantigen-expressing targets were not killed. Sterile cell sorting was used to isolate the gamma/delta+ T cells. The gamma/delta+ cells displayed enhanced killing of K562 while the gamma/delta- cells showed no cytolytic activity. Cytotoxicity mediated by gamma/delta+ T cells was also demonstrated against donor-derived, untransformed renal cells.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710.
authors.forename: A D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Kirk
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ibrahim
authors.forename: D V
authors.initials: DV
authors.lastname: Dawson
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Sanfilippo
authors.forename: O J
authors.initials: OJ
authors.lastname: Finn
mesh_terms: D003602:Cytotoxicity, Immunologic; D006084:Graft Rejection; D006085:Graft Survival; D006680:HLA Antigens; D006801:Humans; D007111:Immunity, Cellular; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D016030:Kidney Transplantation / Q000276:immunology*; D016692:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta / Q000378:metabolism*; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000276:immunology*; D013602:T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D006680:HLA Antigens; D016692:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta