Early activation of gammadelta T lymphocytes in patients with severe systemic inflammatory response syndrome.
Innate immunity plays an important role in host defense after severe insult. gammadelta T lymphocytes are recognized as the first line of defense against microbial invasion. In this study, we evaluated gammadelta T lymphocytes in the peripheral blood of patients with severe systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS), and examined on role of these cells. Thirty-seven patients with severe SIRS (SIRS criteria and serum C-reactive protein > or = 10 mg/dL) and 27 healthy volunteers were studied. Severe SIRS was caused by trauma in 14 patients (Injury Severity Score of 30.1 +/- 10.8) and by sepsis in 23 patients. The counts of gammadelta and alphabeta T lymphocytes were determined by flow cytometry of cells stained with monoclonal antibodies to gammadelta and alphabeta T lymphocyte receptors. The activation of these cells was evaluated by flow cytometry of cells stained with monoclonal antibodies to CD69 and HLA-DR. Serial counts and activation of gammadelta and alphabeta T lymphocytes were also determined in eight trauma patients (Injury Severity Score of 31.0 +/- 13.5) during a 2-week observation period. The count of gammadelta T lymphocytes in the peripheral blood of SIRS patients (30.1 +/- 6.0/microL) was significantly lower (P < 0.05) than that of the healthy volunteers (104.3 +/- 10.9/microL). The expression of CD69, an index of early activation of T lymphocytes, was significantly greater on gammadelta T lymphocytes from SIRS patients (patients 23.9% +/- 3.4%, healthy controls 4.8% +/- 0.6%, P < 0.05). In trauma patients, the expression of CD69 on gammadelta T lymphocytes increased rapidly within 48 h after injuries. In conclusion, gammadelta T lymphocytes are activated and decreased in the peripheral blood of severe SIRS patients. In trauma patients, the activation of gammadelta T lymphocytes occurs in the fairly acute phase after injuries. These results suggest a significant role for gammadelta T lymphocytes as early responders after severe insult.
Matsushima
Asako
A
Departments of Traumatology and Clinical Investigation, Osaka University Medical School, Osaka, Japan.
Ogura
Hiroshi
H
Fujita
Kieko
K
Koh
Taichin
T
Tanaka
Hiroshi
H
Sumi
Yuka
Y
Yoshiya
Kazuhisa
K
Hosotsubo
Hideo
H
Kuwagata
Yasuyuki
Y
Shimazu
Takeshi
T
Sugimoto
Hisashi
H
D018806:APACHE; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000276:immunology*; D018655:Lymphocyte Count; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016692:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta / Q000276:immunology*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D018746:Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome / Q000276:immunology*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*
D016692:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta