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Phenotypic and functional characterization of human T cell clones
S S Patel1, A D Duby, D L Thiele
1Harold C. Simmons Arthritis Research Center, Southwestern Medical School, Dallas 75235.
Journal of Immunology (Baltimore, Md. : 1950)
|December 1, 1988
Summary
Human T cell clones derived from peripheral blood exhibit diverse functional capabilities, including cytokine secretion and cytotoxicity. These findings suggest that most T cells possess the inherent ability to perform a wide range of immune functions.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- T cells are crucial for adaptive immunity.
- Understanding T cell functional plasticity is essential for immunology.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the functional capacity of human peripheral blood-derived T cell clones.
- To determine if T cell clones exhibit diverse functional capabilities.
Main Methods:
- Generation of T cell clones from peripheral blood using PHA stimulation.
- Assessment of T cell functions including cytokine secretion (IL-2, IFN-gamma), B cell help, and MHC-unrestricted cytotoxicity.
- Analysis of T cell receptor (TCR) beta-chain gene rearrangement and surface phenotype (CD4, CD8, CD29, CD11b, CD45R).
Main Results:
- All examined T cell clones secreted IL-2, IFN-gamma, and lymphotoxin/TNF-like activity.
- Most CD4+ and CD8+ T cell clones could induce Ig-secreting cells from B cells and exhibited MHC-unrestricted cytotoxicity.
- TCR beta-chain gene analysis revealed a single rearrangement pattern in 94% of clones.
- Surface phenotype analysis showed variable expression of markers, but function was largely independent of phenotype.
Conclusions:
- Human peripheral blood T cell clones demonstrate a broad range of functional activities.
- The findings imply that the progeny of the majority of T cells possess the inherent capacity for diverse immune functions, irrespective of their initial phenotype.