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Human Vgamma2Vdelta2 T cells contain cytoplasmic RANTES
I Tikhonov1, C O Deetz, R Paca
1Institute of Human Virology, University of Maryland Biotechnology Institute, 725 West Lombard Street, Room N546, Baltimore, 21201, USA.
International Immunology
|June 3, 2006
Summary
The majority of circulating Vgamma2Vdelta2 T cells possess a memory phenotype, evidenced by stored RANTES protein. These cells rapidly secrete RANTES upon activation, indicating a significant role in immune responses.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- T cell biology
Background:
- The Vgamma2Vdelta2 T cell repertoire is shaped by chronic peripheral selection.
- Circulating Vgamma2Vdelta2 T cells are expected to be antigen-experienced with a memory phenotype, unlike naive alpha/beta T cells.
Purpose of the Study:
- To functionally characterize Vgamma2Vdelta2 T cells to determine if they are memory or naive.
- To investigate the expression of the chemokine RANTES in Vgamma2Vdelta2 T cells.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of RANTES (regulated upon activation normal T cell expressed and secreted) mRNA and protein in circulating and in vitro stimulated Vgamma2Vdelta2 T cells.
- Comparison of RANTES expression patterns with naive and memory CD8+ alpha/beta T cells.
Main Results:
- The vast majority of circulating Vgamma2Vdelta2 T cells store RANTES protein intracellularly.
- TCR signaling rapidly triggers RANTES secretion in these cells.
- In vitro stimulated Vgamma2Vdelta2 T cell lines mimic this rapid RANTES response and show minimal MIP-1alpha or MIP-1beta expression.
Conclusions:
- Stored RANTES indicates that circulating Vgamma2Vdelta2 T cells are predominantly of memory phenotype.
- These cells are poised for rapid chemokine responses upon phosphoantigen stimulation.
- Vgamma2Vdelta2+ T cells represent a substantial circulating memory population, capable of immediate RANTES release upon activation.