Effector memory alphabeta T lymphocytes can express FcgammaRIIIa and mediate antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity.
Human memory T cells are comprised of distinct populations with different homing potential and effector functions: central memory T cells that mount recall responses to Ags in secondary lymphoid organs, and effector memory T cells that confer immediate protection in peripheral tissues. In the present study we demonstrate that a proportion of effector memory T cells express FcgammaRIIIa (CD16), are perforin positive, and directly mediate Ab-dependent cytotoxicity ex vivo. This particular alphabeta T lymphocyte subset has the morphology of large granular lymphocytes, increases proportionately in vivo during reactive lymphocytosis, and can be detected in vitro among EBV-specific T lymphocytes after stimulation with EBV Ags. Consequently, during a normal immune response, amplification of these effector memory T lymphocytes that are capable of Ab-dependent cytotoxicity may have beneficial or harmful consequences depending on the presence of pathogen- or tissue-specific Abs, respectively.
Clémenceau
Béatrice
B
Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Unité 601, Nantes, France.
Vivien
Régine
R
Berthomé
Mathilde
M
Robillard
Nelly
N
Garand
Richard
R
Gallot
Géraldine
G
Vollant
Solène
S
Vié
Henri
H
D000920:Antibody-Dependent Cell Cytotoxicity; D002460:Cell Line; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007156:Immunologic Memory; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D016693:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D017452:Receptors, IgG / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000276:immunology*; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*
C496124:FCGR3A protein, human; D016693:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta; D017452:Receptors, IgG; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha