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Published on: September 9, 2011
CD3 bright lymphocyte population reveal gammadelta T cells
Claude Lambert1, Christian Genin
1Immunology Laboratory, University Hospital, St. Etienne, France. claude.lambert@uni-st-etienne.fr
Cytometry. Part B, Clinical Cytometry
|September 8, 2004
Summary
A CD3 bright T-cell population often indicates a high fraction of gammadelta T cells, which warrants further analysis. This finding is particularly relevant in immunocompromised patients like those with HIV or post-transplant.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Flow Cytometry
- T-cell Biology
Background:
- Routine CD3/CD4/CD8 T-cell analysis frequently reveals a distinct CD3 bright lymphocyte population.
- The immunological significance of these CD3 bright lymphocytes remains to be fully elucidated.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify the immunological significance of CD3 bright lymphocytes.
- To correlate the presence of CD3 bright T-cells with gammadelta T-cell populations and their phenotypes.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of peripheral blood samples from healthy donors, HIV-positive patients, and renal transplant recipients.
- Flow cytometry using CD3, CD4, CD8, gammadeltaTCR, and alphabetaTCR antibodies.
- Immunomagnetic purification was used to confirm findings.
Main Results:
- A CD3 bright T-cell fraction, often CD4-/CD8-, was observed in 84% of individuals and strongly correlated with gammadelta T cells (r² = 0.64).
- Gammadelta T cells exhibited diverse CD8alpha/beta chain combinations, with CD8beta:beta homodimers being most prevalent (43.8%).
- CD3 bright gammadelta T cells were significantly more frequent in HIV patients (29%) compared to renal transplant patients (11%) and healthy donors (3%).
Conclusions:
- The presence of a CD3 bright T-cell subset suggests a high gammadelta T-cell fraction, necessitating further analysis of gammadelta T-cell numbers and CD8 phenotype.
- Elevated CD3 bright T cells (>40%) accurately indicated high gammadelta T cells in over 87% of cases.
- The clinical significance of quantitative gammadelta T-cell abnormalities warrants investigation in conditions like HIV, organ transplantation, and autoimmune diseases.
