gammadelta T cells develop independently of Aire.
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.
Tuovinen
Heli
H
Department of Immunology, Haartman Institute, University of Helsinki, Finland.
Pöntynen
Nora
N
Gylling
Mikhail
M
Kekäläinen
Eliisa
E
Perheentupa
Jaakko
J
Miettinen
Aaro
A
Arstila
T Petteri
TP
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
D016692:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta; D014157:Transcription Factors; D000096927:AIRE Protein