A unique Vgamma5-T-cell population in the murine mammary gland.
Mammary epithelia and the epidermis share a common embryologic origin. Like resident epidermal T cells (ETC), a significant number of murine mammary gland T cells (MTC) express Vgamma5-T-cell receptors (TCR). MTC were assessed to see if they express the same invariant Vgamma5/Vdelta1-TCRs as those of ETC. MTC-derived hybridomas, positive for Vgamma5-TCRs, expressed Vdelta5 instead of Vdelta1. Additionally, they showed non-germline additions in the gamma-TCR and delta-TCR junctions, sharing among them an identical 19-nucleotide N-region in the delta-TCR junctions. Vgamma5-TCR and Vdelta5-TCR gene sequences from fresh peripartum MTC also contained variable N-regions, including a 7-nucleotide N-region similar to one found in the hybridomas. Thus, Vgamma5-TCR+ MTC are distinct from Vgamma5-TCR+ ETC by expressing variable non-canonical TCRs, predicting differences in the two T-cell populations in ligand specificity and in function.
Reardon
Christopher
C
Department of Dermatology, CS/111, Carl T. Hayden VA Medical Center, 650 Indian School Rd., Phoenix, AZ 85012-1892, USA. christopher.reardon@med.va.gov
Born
Willi K
WK
O'Brien
Rebecca L
RL
D000818:Animals; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D000078404:Epidermal Cells; D004817:Epidermis / Q000276:immunology; D006825:Hybridomas / Q000378:metabolism; D007135:Immunoglobulin Variable Region / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D008321:Mammary Glands, Animal / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology*; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D016692:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000276:immunology*; D014158:Transcription, Genetic
D007135:Immunoglobulin Variable Region; D016692:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta