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Human gamma/delta T-cell lines derived from airway biopsies
A V Wisnewski1, H Cain, N Magoski
1Pulmonary and Critical Care Section, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06520, USA. adam.wisnewski@yale.edu
American Journal of Respiratory Cell and Molecular Biology
|March 14, 2001
Summary
Gamma/delta T cells are present in human airways and proliferate in response to specific antigens. These lung-derived cells show distinct T-cell receptor usage and a T helper 1-like profile compared to blood T cells.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Respiratory Medicine
Background:
- Gamma/delta T cells are implicated in mucosal immunity but their role in human lung tissue is not well understood.
- Epithelial boundaries are critical sites for immune surveillance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify and characterize gamma/delta T cells in human airway biopsies.
- To compare airway-derived gamma/delta T cells with those from peripheral blood.
Main Methods:
- Isolation and culture of T-cell lines from human airway biopsies and peripheral blood.
- Stimulation of T cells with tetanus toxoid (TT), mitogens, or other antigens.
- Analysis of T-cell receptor (TCR) gene usage and cytokine production (interferon-gamma).
Main Results:
- Airway T-cell lines stimulated with TT showed a higher proportion of gamma/delta T cells compared to other stimulation methods.
- Airway-derived gamma/delta T cells exhibited distinct TCRs, predominantly using Vgamma I family genes, unlike blood-derived cells.
- Airway gamma/delta T cells produced high levels of interferon-gamma, indicating a T helper 1-like cytokine profile.
Conclusions:
- Gamma/delta T cells are present and capable of antigen-dependent proliferation in human airway tissue.
- Lung-derived gamma/delta T cells differ in TCR usage and cytokine profiles from peripheral blood gamma/delta T cells.
- Gamma/delta T cells may be functionally enriched in human airways, suggesting a specialized role in lung immunity.