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An In Vitro Model for the Expansion of Vγ9δ2 T Lymphocytes During Development
Author(s) -
WILHELM M.,
TONY H.P.
Publication year - 1994
Publication title -
scandinavian journal of immunology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.934
H-Index - 88
eISSN - 1365-3083
pISSN - 0300-9475
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-3083.1994.tb03499.x
Subject(s) - cd5 , antigen , biology , immune system , b 1 cell , natural killer t cell , interleukin 21 , t cell , immunology , in vitro , antigen presenting cell , genetics
The 7/γ/δTlymphocytes represent a minority of T lymphocytes in human peripheral blood. Although there have been reports of reactivity against (myco‐) bacterial antigens and heat shock proteins, their function and antigen specificity remain ill defined. The biological role of γ/δ T cells has been related to functions within the ‘first line of defense’. Similar to γ/δ T lymphocytes in the T‐cell compartment, CD5 positive B cells represent a small subset of B lymphocytes, which is thought to be involved in the maintenance of natural immunity and autoimmunity. We provide evidence for the cooperation of γ/δ T cells and CD5 positive B cells in the proliferative response of γ/δ T cells to bacterial antigens. Our data indicate a strong proliferation of Vγ9δ2 T cells in response to gram‐negative bacteria, which is dependent upon the presence of CD5 positive B‐CLL or activated normal B lymphocytes. The selective stimulation of the Vγ9δ2 subpopulation by gram‐negative bacteria is also confirmed by analysis of different γ/δ T‐cell clones. The interaction of γ/δ T cells with activated B cells and gram‐negative bacteria may prove to be a useful model similar to the expansion of the Vγ9δ2 subpopulation during development. In addition, our in vitro system should provide new insights in the interaction of CLL B cells with the immune system and the antigens recognized by γ/δ T cells.