title: gammadelta T cells develop independently of Aire.
abstract: Mutations in the transcriptional regulator Aire disrupt thymic alphabeta T cell selection, causing in humans Autoimmune polyendocrinopathy-candidiasis-ectodermal dystrophy (APECED). However, it is not known whether Aire is needed for normal gammadelta T cell development. We show that Aire(-/-) mice have a normal frequency of gammadelta T cells, with TCR repertoire comparable to that of wild-type mice, and normal amount of TCR Cdelta mRNA in ileum and skin. gammadelta T cells did not express increased amounts of CD25 or display hyperproliferation, and were not involved in pathological salivary gland infiltrates. Lastly, the frequency of circulating gammadelta T cells was similar in APECED patients and healthy controls. These data indicate that gammadelta T cells develop independently of Aire and are unlikely to have a significant pathogenetic or protective role in APECED. The antigens responsible for gammadelta and alphabeta T cell selection are thus probably largely different.
authors.affiliation: Department of Immunology, Haartman Institute, University of Helsinki, Finland.
authors.forename: Heli
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Tuovinen
authors.forename: Nora
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Pöntynen
authors.forename: Mikhail
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gylling
authors.forename: Eliisa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kekäläinen
authors.forename: Jaakko
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Perheentupa
authors.forename: Aaro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Miettinen
authors.forename: T Petteri
authors.initials: TP
authors.lastname: Arstila
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D008875:Middle Aged; D016884:Polyendocrinopathies, Autoimmune / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D016692:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D000096927:AIRE Protein
chemical_list: D016692:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta; D014157:Transcription Factors; D000096927:AIRE Protein