Role of gamma/delta T cell receptor-expressing lymphocytes in cutaneous infection caused by Staphylococcus aureus.
The high number of gamma/delta-expressing T cells found in the epithelial lining layer suggests that they form a first line of defence against invading pathogens. To evaluate the role of gamma/delta T cell-receptor (TCR)-expressing cells in cutaneous infection caused by Staphylococcus aureus, mice lacking gamma/delta-expressing T cells (TCRdelta-/-) were inoculated intradermally with S. aureus, and compared with S. aureus-infected congeneic TCRdelta+/- control mice. The number of bacteria recovered from the skin of TCRdelta-/- mice was significantly higher (P = 0.0071) at early time-points after inoculation compared to the number of bacteria isolated from infected TCRdelta+/- congeneic controls. Nevertheless, inflammatory responses measured as serum IL-6 levels, were significantly lower in TCRdelta-/- mice than in the control group. A possible explanation for this discrepancy was the observation of significantly decreased overall numbers of infiltrating cutaneous T lymphocytes, which are important producers of IL-6. These results support the notion that the gamma/delta-expressing T cells that reside at the epithelial lining layer of the skin is of importance for early containment of the bacteria, thereby limiting their replication and spread.
Mölne
L
L
Department of Dermatology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Göteborg, Sweden. lena.molne@immuno.gu.se
Corthay
A
A
Holmdahl
R
R
Tarkowski
A
A
D000818:Animals; D000942:Antigens, Bacterial / Q000097:blood; D001947:Breeding; D003872:Dermatitis / Q000276:immunology*; D004848:Epithelium / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000097:blood; D007150:Immunohistochemistry / Q000379:methods; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000097:blood; D018655:Lymphocyte Count; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D008811:Mice, Inbred DBA; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D016692:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000276:immunology*; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000276:immunology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*
D000942:Antigens, Bacterial; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007075:Immunoglobulin M; D015850:Interleukin-6; D016692:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta