TCR V beta families in T cell clones from sarcoid lung parenchyma, BAL, and blood.
The TCR repertoire and the CD4/CD8 ratio of clones from peripheral blood (PB), transbronchial biopsies (TBB), and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) of 16 sarcoid patients was analyzed by staining the clones with monoclonal antibodies against nine V beta-families. We observed a striking increase in the CD4/CD8 ratio of the clones from BAL; whereas the CD4/CD8 ratio of the clones from PB was in the normal range. The CD4/CD8 ratio of the TBB-clones had also increased, but this increase did not reach the level of that of the BAL clones. The most prominent changes in the V beta percentages could be detected in the CD4+ subpopulation of the BAL-clones. The most abundant V beta families were V beta 5 in PB and BAL (11.8 and 28.6%, respectively) and V beta 6 in the TBB (12.4%). A similar compartmentalized V beta usage could be demonstrated in one patient with tuberculosis and one patient with HP. The increase in V beta 5, V beta 8, V beta 12, V beta 13.3, and V beta 19 in the BAL and the increase of V beta 5, V beta 6, V beta 13.3, and V beta 19 in the TBB suggest an antigen-driven activation of the T cells in both compartments. Differences in the V beta percentages between BAL and TBB and the lower CD4/CD8 ratio in the TBB, however, demonstrate a relative independence of the two compartments.
Zissel
G
G
Research Center Borstel, Medical Hospital, Germany.
Bäumer
I
I
Fleischer
B
B
Schlaak
M
M
Müller-Quernheim
J
J
D001706:Biopsy; D001992:Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid / Q000276:immunology*; D016516:CD4-CD8 Ratio; D002999:Clone Cells; D006801:Humans; D016130:Immunophenotyping; D008168:Lung / Q000276:immunology*; D016693:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta / Q000235:genetics*; D017565:Sarcoidosis, Pulmonary / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*
D016693:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta