title: Phenotypic characterization of gammadelta T cells mobilized in response to acute psychological stress.
abstract: Gamma-delta (gammadelta) T lymphocytes are versatile cells that play key roles in bacterial clearance, wound repair, and delayed-type hypersensitivity reactions. Recently we showed that these cells are mobilized into the blood during acute psychological stress. gammadelta T lymphocytes are a heterogeneous population of cells, and the current study aimed to characterize the effects of stress on distinct gammadelta T cell populations. Twenty-nine healthy participants completed a 12min speech task. Blood samples were taken after a resting baseline, during the last two minutes of the task, and after a 15min recovery period. Flow cytometry was used to investigate the response of memory phenotypes (i.e. Naïve, Central memory, Effector Memory, and CD45RA(+) Effector Memory (EMRA)) within the delta1 and delta2 gammadelta T cell populations. Cells were further analysed on expression of adhesion molecules (CD11a, CD62L) and the NK-receptor CD94. Both the delta1 and delta2 subsets were mobilized during stress, and for both subsets, EMRA cells were mobilized to a much greater extent than the other memory phenotypes. Analysis of migration markers revealed that mobilized cells had a predominantly tissue migrating phenotype (CD11a(hi)CD62L(lo/neg)) and expressed high levels of the NK-receptor CD94. The current findings indicate that stress primarily mobilizes gammadelta memory cells that have high cytotoxic capability, tissue homing potential, and the capacity for rapid, innate-like target recognition. This selective mobilization possibly provides protection in contexts when tissue damage and antigen exposure are more likely to occur.
authors.affiliation: School of Sport and Exercise Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK.
authors.forename: Leila H
authors.initials: LH
authors.lastname: Anane
authors.forename: Kate M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Edwards
authors.forename: Victoria E
authors.initials: VE
authors.lastname: Burns
authors.forename: Jet J C S Veldhuijzen van
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Zanten
authors.forename: Mark T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Drayson
authors.forename: Jos A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Bosch
mesh_terms: D040881:CD11a Antigen / Q000276:immunology; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006801:Humans; D007156:Immunologic Memory / Q000276:immunology*; D019041:L-Selectin / Q000276:immunology; D017493:Leukocyte Common Antigens / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D051920:NK Cell Lectin-Like Receptor Subfamily D / Q000276:immunology; D016692:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology*; D012931:Social Environment; D013060:Speech; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology*; D013334:Students; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000276:immunology*; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D040881:CD11a Antigen; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; D051920:NK Cell Lectin-Like Receptor Subfamily D; D016692:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta; D019041:L-Selectin; D017493:Leukocyte Common Antigens