Cytokine production and antigen recognition by human mucosal homing conjunctival effector memory CD8+ T cells.
OBJECTIVE
Conjunctival epithelial T cells are dominated by CD3(+)CD56-TCRαβ(+)CD8αβ(+) lymphocytes. In this study we explored the antigen experience status, mucosal homing phenotype, cytokine expression, and viral antigen recognition of conjunctival epithelial CD8(+) T cells from healthy individuals.


METHODS
Following ocular surface impression cytology, conjunctival cells were recovered by gentle agitation and analyzed by flow cytometry for cell surface markers, cytokine production (stimulated by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate [PMA]/ionomycin), and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)/cytomegalovirus (CMV) immunodominant epitope recognition using major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I peptide tetramers.


RESULTS
In contrast to peripheral blood, conjunctival epithelial CD8(+) T cells were dominantly CD45RA(-)CCR7(-) effector memory cells, and the vast majority expressed the mucosal homing integrin αEβ7. Conjunctival memory CD8(+) T cells maintained effector functions with the ability to secrete IFN-γ and expression of Granzyme B, although they expressed significantly reduced amounts per cell compared to peripheral blood T cells. Interestingly, herpetic virus-specific CD8(+) T cells recognizing epitopes derived from EBV and CMV could be detected in the conjunctival cells of healthy virus carriers, although they were generally at lower frequencies than in the peripheral blood of the same donor. Virus-specific conjunctival CD8(+) T cells were dominated by CD45RA(-)CCR7(-) effector memory cells that expressed αEβ7.


CONCLUSIONS
These data demonstrate that the majority of conjunctival epithelial CD8(+) T cells are mucosal homing αEβ7(+) effector memory T cells, which can recognize viral epitopes and are capable of secreting Granzyme B and IFN-γ.
Academic Unit of Ophthalmology, Birmingham and Midland Eye Centre, City Hospital, Birmingham, School of Immunity and Infection, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom Centre for Translational Inflammation Research, Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, School of Immunity and Infection, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom.
Geraint P
GP
Williams
School of Cancer Sciences, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom.
Annette
A
Pachnio
School of Cancer Sciences, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom.
Heather M
HM
Long
Academic Unit of Ophthalmology, Birmingham and Midland Eye Centre, City Hospital, Birmingham, School of Immunity and Infection, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom Centre for Translational Inflammation Research, Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, School of Immunity and Infection, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom.
Saaeha
S
Rauz
Academic Unit of Ophthalmology, Birmingham and Midland Eye Centre, City Hospital, Birmingham, School of Immunity and Infection, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom Centre for Translational Inflammation Research, Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, School of Immunity and Infection, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom.
S John
SJ
Curnow
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000954:Antigens, Surface / Q000378:metabolism; D000956:Antigens, Viral / Q000276:immunology; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003228:Conjunctiva / Q000276:immunology*; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism*; D003586:Cytomegalovirus Infections / Q000276:immunology; D004848:Epithelium / Q000276:immunology; D018984:Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte / Q000276:immunology*; D020031:Epstein-Barr Virus Infections / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009092:Mucous Membrane / Q000276:immunology; D055815:Young Adult
D000954:Antigens, Surface; D000956:Antigens, Viral; D016207:Cytokines; D018984:Epitopes, T-Lymphocyte
CD8+ T cell; conjunctiva; impression cytology; infection