Selective compartmentalization of gammadelta-T lymphocytes in human breastmilk.
In human breastmilk, T lymphocytes with gammadelta-receptor (TCR) are more frequent than those with alphabeta-TCR, in comparison with peripheral blood. Differential representation has also been demonstrated for subpopulations of gammadelta-T cells. Reactivity was visualized with three monoclonal antibodies against Vdelta1, Vdelta2 and Vgamma2 on T cells from the breastmilk and peripheral blood of 12 women who had recently given birth. Confirming the results with Vdelta1, it was found that Vdelta1 (p < 0.01) and Vgamma2 (p < 0.05) but not Vdelta2 were overrepresented on T cells in milk as compared with blood. This selective compartmentalization seems to reflect the homing of certain cells to the mammary gland.
Lindstrand
A
A
Department of Immunology, Stockholm University, Sweden.
Smedman
L
L
Gunnlaugsson
G
G
Troye-Blomberg
M
M
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000032:analysis; D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008895:Milk, Human / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology*; D010641:Phenotype; D016692:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000276:immunology*
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D015703:Antigens, CD; D000945:Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte; D016692:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta