[Gamma delta T cells and their receptor Vdelta gene rearrangement in transitional mucosa of rectal carcinoma].
OBJECTIVE
To observe gamma delta T cells and their receptors Vdelta gene rearrangement expression in the transitional mucosa of rectal carcinoma, and to investigate their relations with local tumor recurrence.


METHODS
In 13 patients with rectal carcinoma, gamma delta T cells in transitional mucosa were measured with two-color immunofluorescent flow cytometric analysis and polymerase chain reaction technique.


RESULTS
The volume of gamma delta T cells in transitional mucosal lymphocytes (TML) were significantly higher than that in tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL), and significantly lower than that in normal intestinal epithelial lymphocytes (IEL) (P < 0.05). The gamma delta T cell receptors delta chain V region (gamma delta-TCR Vdelta1-Vdelta6) gene rearrangement was all expressed in TIL, TML and IEL; but the Vdelta 6 gene expression in both TML and TIL were higher than that in IEL (P < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
The decreased volume of gamma delta T cells in TML resulted in decreased local immune function and may be responsible for the local tumor recurrence after resection. The high expression of Vdelta 6 gene rearrangement in both TIL and TML suggests the skewing of gamma delta-TCR receptors and the abtitumor specificity of TIL and TML in local epithelium.
Zhong
M
M
Department of General Surgery, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Second Medical University, Shanghai 200001.
Wang
P
P
Wang
S
S
Tang
W
W
Wu
Z
Z
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D016694:Gene Rearrangement, delta-Chain T-Cell Antigen Receptor; D015334:Gene Rearrangement, gamma-Chain T-Cell Antigen Receptor; D006801:Humans; D007135:Immunoglobulin Variable Region / Q000235:genetics; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D016246:Lymphocytes, Tumor-Infiltrating / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016692:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics; D012004:Rectal Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*
D007135:Immunoglobulin Variable Region; D016692:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta