[ γδ T lymphocyte function and the polymorphism of T cell receptor V δ chain in lungs of asthmatic patients].
OBJECTIVE
To observe the function of gamma delta T lymphocytes and the polymorphism of T cell receptor V delta chain in the lungs of asthmatic patients and explore the role of gamma delta T cells in airway inflammation.


METHODS
Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid BALF was obtained from 7 asthmatic patients and 7 healthy control individuals. The percentage of gamma delta T cell in BALF was measured by flow cytometry. The gamma delta T cell in BALF was purified by magnetic labeled beads. Proliferous activity was examined by MTT assay. Cytokines secreted by gamma delta T cells in medium was assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Polymorphism of T cell receptor V delta chain was detected by RT-PCR and gene scan analysis.


RESULTS
The proportion of gamma delta T cell in the BALF of asthmatic patients [(6.39+/-0.71)%] was significantly higher than that in control subjects [(2.62+/-0.37)%] (P<0.01). The proportion of macrophage in the BALF of asthmatic patients [(81+/-4)] was significantly lower than that in control subjects [(86+/-2)] (P<0.05). The proliferation rate of asthmatic patients [(284.2+/-43.6)%] was significantly higher than that of control subjects [(217.5+/-59.5)%] (P<0.05). Interleukin-4 secreted by gamma delta T cells of asthmatic patients [(18.9+/-3.1) pg/ml)] significantly increased when compared with the control subjects [(14.1+/-3.0) pg/ml] (P<0.05). The polymorphism of T cell receptor V delta chain was not significantly different between these two groups.


CONCLUSIONS
The increase of gamma delta T cells in the lung of asthmatic patients further exacerbates Th1/Th2 disturbance and airway inflammation. Antigen recognition by gamma delta T cells is non-specific.
Liu
Ze-yu
ZY
Department of Respiratory Medicine, PUMC Hospital CAMS and PUMC, Beijing 100730, China.
Guo
Zi-jian
ZJ
Xu
Xing-xiang
XX
Guo
Li
L
Tian
Xin-lun
XL
Chen
Yong
Y
Gao
Jin-ming
JM
Chen
Hua-xia
HX
D000328:Adult; D001249:Asthma / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D001992:Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid / Q000166:cytology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D019676:Genes, T-Cell Receptor delta / Q000235:genetics*; D019675:Genes, T-Cell Receptor gamma / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D007135:Immunoglobulin Variable Region / Q000235:genetics; D008168:Lung / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D058408:Th1-Th2 Balance
D016207:Cytokines; D007135:Immunoglobulin Variable Region