title: Modulation of gamma delta T cells in mouse buccal epithelium following antigen priming.
abstract: T cells using the gamma delta T cell receptor (TCR) are abundant in mucosal and epidermal tissues in mice. Most studies of mucosal gamma delta T cells, however, have examined cells from the intestinal mucosa, whereas little is known about the presence or function of gamma delta T cells in the oral cavity. To better understand the involvement of oral gamma delta T cells in immunity, we have characterized TCR variable gamma-gene usage in the buccal epithelium from normal mice, and from mice challenged locally with a non-replicating antigen (bovine serum albumin [BSA]) or by influenza-virus infection as a replicating antigen. Our findings demonstrate a restricted use of V gamma genes by buccal gamma delta T cells, consisting primarily of V gamma 1.2, V gamma 3, and V gamma 5, with minimal use of V gamma 2 and V gamma 4 genes. Of particular interest, 3-4 days post-antigen challenge with BSA, there was a precipitous drop in the level of expression of V gamma 1.2, V gamma 3, and V gamma 5 genes, and to a lesser extent for the V gamma 2 gene, whereas V gamma 4 gene expression increased between days 1 and 2 post-priming. In influenza-infected mice, a similar pattern was observed for the V gamma 2 and V gamma 5 genes, but not other V gamma genes. The immune-modulating effects of oral antigen exposure on buccal gamma delta T cells suggest that these cells are functionally involved in the local immune response to both replicating and non-replicating antigens in oral mucosal surfaces.
authors.affiliation: Department of Basic Sciences, University of Texas Health Science Center Houston, Dental Branch, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
authors.forename: Kevin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Otten
authors.forename: Heuy-Ching
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Philip R
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Wyde
authors.forename: John R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Klein
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017951:Antigen Presentation; D005260:Female; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000276:immunology; D005803:Genes, Immunoglobulin; D018928:Immunity, Mucosal; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D009061:Mouth Mucosa / Q000276:immunology*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D016692:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D016692:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta