Depletion of a gamma delta T cell subset can increase host resistance to a bacterial infection.
Gammadelta T lymphocytes have been shown to regulate immune responses in diverse experimental systems. Because distinct gammadelta T cell subsets, as defined by the usage of certain TCR V genes, preferentially respond in various diseases and disease models, we have hypothesized that the various gammadelta T cell subsets carry out different functions. To test this, we compared one particular gammadelta T cell subset, the Vgamma1(+) subset, which represents a major gammadelta T cell type in the lymphoid organs and blood of mice, to other subsets and to gammadelta T cells as a whole. Using Listeria monocytogenes infection as an infectious disease model, we found that bacterial containment improves in mice depleted of Vgamma1(+) gammadelta T cells, albeit mice lacking all gammadelta T cells are instead impaired in their ability to control Listeria expansion. Our findings indicate that Vgamma1(+) gammadelta T cells reduce the ability of the innate immune system to destroy Listeria, even though other gammadelta T cells as a whole promote clearance of this pathogen.
O'Brien
R L
RL
Department of Immunology, National Jewish Medical and Research Center, Denver, CO 80206, USA. obrienr@njc.org
Yin
X
X
Huber
S A
SA
Ikuta
K
K
Born
W K
WK
D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005260:Female; D018390:Gene Targeting; D007111:Immunity, Cellular / Q000235:genetics; D007113:Immunity, Innate / Q000235:genetics; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D008089:Listeria monocytogenes / Q000276:immunology; D008088:Listeriosis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology* / Q000382:microbiology; D008099:Liver / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology; D008212:Lymphocyte Depletion; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008809:Mice, Inbred C3H; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D016692:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000172:deficiency* / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D013154:Spleen / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000382:microbiology
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D016692:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta