Effects of superantigenic stimulation on the cord blood alphabeta T cell repertoire

A Toubert1, C Douay, N Chalumeau

  • 1INSERM U 396, Institut Biomédical des Cordeliers et Centre G Hayem, Hôpital Saint-Louis, Paris, France.

Umbilical cord blood (CB) constitutes a promising alternative to bone marrow for allogeneic transplantation and is most remarkable for the reduced severity of GVHD compared with bone marrow. We have shown that although naive the TCR beta-chain repertoire appears fully constituted at birth in terms of mean size of the complementarity-determining region 3 (CDR3) and of the usage of V and J gene segments. Its ability to respond to exogenous stimuli was tested with staphylococcal superantigens TSST-1 and SEA (toxin at 1 ng/ml for 4 days). The amount of TCR transcripts was quantified and the percentage of representation of each BV family was calculated. TSST-1 induced BV2 expansion in both adult and CB samples. SEA activation gave a more variable pattern among individuals (adults n = 6; CB n = 6). BV6, BV18, BV22 and BV24 were the most frequently expanded families. We did not observe notable differences in either the modification of the TCRBV repertoire or the kinetics of the response to SEA superantigen between adults and newborns. These data suggest that although naive, CB lymphocytes are as equally capable as adult lymphocytes of responding to superantigen stimulation.

Related Concept Videos

Cell-mediated Immune Responses01:40

Cell-mediated Immune Responses

Overview
Special Features of Adaptive Immunity01:20

Special Features of Adaptive Immunity

The adaptive immune system, a crucial component of the overall immune response, offers a highly specialized defense against pathogens. It involves specific cell types and features, enabling it to combat infections effectively and efficiently.
The primary cell types involved in adaptive immunity are T cells and B cells. Each type has a unique role in defending the body against pathogens. T cells are responsible for cell-mediated immunity. They identify and eliminate infected cells directly,...
Cells of the Adaptive Immune Response01:23

Cells of the Adaptive Immune Response

The T and B lymphocytes of the adaptive immune system develop from common lymphoid progenitor cells in the bone marrow. These progenitors give rise to precursors that eventually develop into both T and B lymphocytes. As these precursors mature, they gain the ability to detect and respond to foreign antigens in the body, a process known as immunocompetence. Additionally, these precursors acquire self-tolerance, a process that ensures they do not react to self-antigens. This intricate system...
Diversity of Antigen Receptors01:28

Diversity of Antigen Receptors

Antigen receptors are essential components of the immune system crucial in defending the body against foreign invaders. These receptors are present on the surface of B and T cells, enabling them to recognize antigens and mount an appropriate immune response.
Before encountering any antigen, lymphocytes express these receptors. On B cells, the antigen receptor is a membrane-bound antibody molecule called BCR; on T cells, it is a T cell receptor or TCR. B and T cell receptors are composed of two...
T Cell Activation and Clonal Selection01:22

T Cell Activation and Clonal Selection

T cells are integral to our adaptive immune system, recognizing and effectively responding to foreign antigens. T cell activation and clonal selection are pivotal in orchestrating this immune response. This article elucidates these mechanisms, detailing the roles of cluster of differentiation (CD) markers, major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules, costimulatory signals, and the process of clonal selection.
Naive T cells that have not yet encountered an antigen express two primary CD...
B Cell Activation and Differentiation01:24

B Cell Activation and Differentiation

The adaptive immune response, a sophisticated defense mechanism, relies on the activation and differentiation of B lymphocytes, or B cells. These processes enable our bodies to mount a tailored response against specific pathogens such as bacteria, free virus particles, toxins, and parasites.
When naive B cells encounter a specific antigen that can bind to the B cell receptor (BCR) on their surface, they undergo sensitization to respond to the antigen's presence. Sensitization begins with...