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Gamma delta T lymphocytes and proinflammatory cytokines in bacterial meningitis

S Raziuddin1, N A Mir, el-Awad M el-H

  • 1Department of Clinical Immunology, King Saud University, College of Medicine, Abha, Saudi Arabia.

The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology
|April 1, 1994
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Bacterial meningitis patients show increased gamma delta T cells, which produce inflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor-alpha and IL-6. This may drive the disease

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Bacterial meningitis is associated with T-cell defects.
  • Impaired cytokine production is observed in patients.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate T-cell receptor phenotypes in bacterial meningitis.
  • To analyze cytokine production in T cells from meningitis patients.

Main Methods:

  • Monoclonal antibody staining determined T-cell receptor phenotypes (alpha beta and gamma delta).
  • Cytokine production (IL-2, IL-6, interferon-gamma, TNF-alpha) was measured via bioassay/ELISAs.
  • Compared patients with bacterial meningitis, bacterial infection, and healthy controls.

Main Results:

  • A significant increase in circulating gamma delta T cells (CD3+CD4+CD8-) was found in bacterial meningitis patients.
  • Gamma delta T cells from meningitis patients produced elevated levels of TNF-alpha and IL-6.
  • Alpha beta T cells showed enhanced interferon-gamma production.

Conclusions:

  • Increased circulating gamma delta T cells and their cytokine production (TNF-alpha, IL-6) are implicated in bacterial meningitis pathogenesis.
  • These findings highlight the role of T cells in the inflammatory response to bacterial meningitis.

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