Selective activation of TCR-gammadelta+ cells in endemic Burkitt's lymphoma.
BACKGROUND
The overlap in geographical distribution of Plasmodium falciparum malaria and endemic Burkitt's lymphoma (eBL)--an aggressive Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-associated B-cell tumour occurring almost exclusively in the tropics--strongly suggests a link between the two diseases. It is suspected that the polyclonal B-cell activation in P. falciparum malaria may precipitate a breakdown in homeostatic T-cell control of EBV-immortalized B-cell proliferation. Previous studies have suggested that a particular T-cell subset, characterized by expression of Vdelta1+ gammadelta T-cell receptors, is important for maintaining B-cell homeostasis, both in P. falciparum- exposed populations and in individuals subject to polyclonal B-cell activation of other aetiology. The objective of the present study was, therefore, to characterize lymphocyte phenotypes and to investigate possible differences in T-cell subset composition and activation status in P. falciparum-exposed Ghanaian children with and without eBL.


METHODS
Venous blood samples in heparin from 21 eBL patients (mean age: 7.0 years; range: 3-11 years), referred to the Burkitt's Tumour Centre at Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, Accra and 15 healthy, age and sex matched children, were stained with fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-, phycoerythrin (PE)-, R-phycoerythrin (RPE)- and RPE-Cy5-conjugated antibodies (CD3, CD4, CD8, CD25, CD69, CD95, HLA-DR, TCR-gammadelta, Vdelta1, Vdelta3, Vgamma9 and B-cells) and acquired on a flow cytometer.


RESULTS
A reduction in the proportion of CD3+ cells in eBL patients, due mainly to perturbations among TCR-gammadelta+ cells was observed. In contrast, the proportions of CD4+ or CD8+ cells were relatively unaffected, as were the mean numbers of peripheral blood mononuclear cells.


CONCLUSIONS
Selective changes in numbers and activation status of TCR-gammadelta+ cells occurs in Ghanaian children with eBL, a pattern which is similar to P. falciparum-induced changes. The data supports the hypothesis of a regulatory role for Vdelta1+ TcR-gammadelta T-cells in maintaining B-cell homeostasis and provides insights into the pathogenesis of eBL.
Futagbi
Godfred
G
Immunology Department, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana. fgodfred@yahoo.com <fgodfred@yahoo.com>
Welbeck
Jennifer E
JE
Tetteh
John Kweku A
JK
Hviid
Lars
L
Akanmori
Bartholomew D
BD
D002051:Burkitt Lymphoma / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D019353:Endemic Diseases; D005260:Female; D005869:Ghana / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D016778:Malaria, Falciparum / Q000150:complications* / Q000276:immunology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008297:Male; D016692:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta / Q000378:metabolism*; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000276:immunology*
D016692:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta