[Proportion and characteristics of γδT cells in different tissues and organs of C57BL/6 mice]

To compare the percentages of γδT cells in the lymphocytes and CD3⁺; T cells isolated from the livers, lungs, spleen and mesenteric lymph nodes of C57BL/6 mice and the phonotype and function of γδT cells in different tissues or organs.

Lymphocytes were isolated from livers, lungs, spleen and mesenteric lymph nodes of normal C57BL/6 mice, respectively. Then, percentages of γδT cells in lymphocytes and CD3⁺; T cells, and phenotypic characteristics of γδT cells were examined by flow cytometry. Moreover, IFN-γ, IL-4, IL-9 and IL-17 secreted by γδT cells were detected by means of intracellular cytokine staining after stimulation with PMA plus ionomycin.

The percentage of γδT in lymphocyte cells of the livers was significantly higher than that of the lungs, spleen and mesenteric lymph nodes (P<0.05), and the percentage in CD3⁺; T cells of the mesenteric lymph nodes was the lowest (P<0.05). CD4⁻; CD8⁻; γδT cells were the main subpopulation in these tissues and organs and there was also a small proportion of CD8⁺; γδT cells. The proportion of CD4⁺; γδT cells in the mesenteric lymph nodes was significantly higher than that in the others (P<0.05), and a group of CD4⁺; CD8⁺; γδT cells existed obviously. The percentage of IL-17⁺; cells in γδT cells was significantly higher than IFN-γ⁺; and IL-4⁺; cells, and almost no IL-9 γδT cells were found. The ability of secreting cytokines of γδT cells in the lungs was the strongest and the percentage of IL-17⁺; γδT was (26.6 ± 12.1) %. In addition, the proportion of IFN-γ⁺⁻; γδT cells in the livers and lungs were (1.36 ± 0.37)% and (1.6 ± 0.7)%, respectively.

The proportion, phenotype and function of γδT cells had significant difference in the livers, lungs, spleen, mesenteric lymph nodes of C57BL/6 mice.