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T cell progenitors in the murine small intestine
1Department of Biological Science, University of Tulsa, OK 74104, USA.
Developmental and Comparative Immunology
|December 16, 1997
Summary
Intestinal T cell progenitors regenerate intraepithelial lymphocytes (IELs) in mice. These precursors home to the gut, generating diverse T cell populations without thymic involvement, indicating a local source for intestinal immunity.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Gastroenterology
- Developmental Biology
Background:
- The small intestine epithelium hosts a significant population of extrathymic T cells.
- Intraepithelial lymphocytes (IELs) play a crucial role in mucosal immunity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate whether T cell progenitors within the intestine can generate IEL populations.
- To identify the origin of extrathymic T cells in the murine small intestine.
Main Methods:
- Isolation and characterization of intestine-derived cells with early T cell precursor markers (heat-stable antigen, c-kit, pre-T cell alpha).
- Adoptive transfer of these precursor cells into irradiated recipient mice.
- Analysis of donor cell homing, repopulation of lymphoid tissues, and IEL subset generation (alpha beta, gamma delta T cells; CD4/CD8 expression).
Main Results:
- Intestine-derived precursor cells homed specifically to the small intestine.
- Donor cells did not repopulate the thymus or other peripheral lymphoid organs.
- Generated IELs comprised both alpha beta and gamma delta T cell subsets with heterogeneous CD4/CD8 expression.
Conclusions:
- T cell progenitors residing in the intestinal mucosa are the primary source of intestinal IELs.
- This finding supports an extrathymic pathway for T cell development within the gut.
- Intestinal IELs are crucial for maintaining mucosal immune surveillance.