Open AccessAnalysis of γδ region usage in normal and diseased human intestinal biopsies and peripheral blood by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and flow cytometry
Author(s) -
BUCHT A.,
SÖDERSTRÖM K.,
ESIN S.,
GRUNEWALD J.,
HAGELBERG S.,
MAGNUSSON I.,
WIGZELL H.,
GRÖNBERG A.,
KIESSLING R.
Publication year - 1995
Publication title -
clinical & experimental immunology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.329
H-Index - 135
eISSN - 1365-2249
pISSN - 0009-9104
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2249.1995.tb03472.x
Subject(s) - flow cytometry , population , pathology , t cell receptor , intestinal mucosa , cd3 , ulcerative colitis , t cell , biopsy , inflammatory bowel disease , biology , medicine , immunology , antigen , disease , immune system , cd8 , environmental health
SUMMARY The intestinal population of γδ T cell receptor (TCR)‐bearing cells was characterized with regard to Vδ and Vγ subtype expression. For this purpose, we utilized V gene‐specific PCR of mRNA prepared from intestinal biopsies. Predominant expression of the Vδ1 subtype was demonstrated in the small intestine of patients with coeliac disease and in the inflamed colon of patients with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD: ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease) as well as in colon biopsies taken from macroscopically normal areas of colon. Although intestinal γδ T cells preferentially expressed Vδ1, other Vδ transcripts could be detected, of which Vδ2 and Vδ5 were commonly expressed. Analysis of biopsies from mesenteric lymph nodes demonstrated a Vδ repertoire similar to the mucosa. In peripheral blood on the other hand, high expression of both Vδ2 and Vδ1 was found. The predominant expression of Vδ1 transcripts in the intestinal mucosa of IBD patients correlated well with protein cell surface expression as analysed by flow cytometry using Vδ1‐ and Vδ2‐specific antibodies. Selective expansion of γδ T cells could not be demonstrated within the inflamed mucosa as shown by mRNA analysis and flow cytometry. Instead, IBD patients demonstrated a decreased proportion of TCR 76‐carrying T cells in the inflamed mucosa compared with macroscopically normal area of colon. On the other hand, a significantly increased percentage of T cells bearing the γδ TCR was found in peripheral blood of patients with Crohn's disease compared with healthy individuals, indicating that local mucosal inflammation may influence the circulating γδ T cell population.