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Published on: July 13, 2016
Alpha beta T cell receptor expression in rat intestinal epithelium
J L Viney1, T T MacDonald, P J Kilshaw
1Department of Paediatric Gastroenterology, St. Bartholomew's Hospital, London, U.K.
Insights
Intra-epithelial lymphocytes (IEL) in rats primarily express alpha beta T cell receptors (TcR), challenging previous assumptions. This finding in rat gut immunity parallels mouse data, suggesting a conserved T cell population.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Gastroenterology
Background:
- Intra-epithelial lymphocytes (IEL) are crucial immune cells in the small intestine.
- The T cell receptor (TcR) type expressed by IEL is key to understanding gut immunity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the expression of alpha beta T cell receptor (TcR) on IEL in normal rat small intestine.
- To compare findings in rats with existing data in mice.
Main Methods:
- Immunoperoxidase histochemistry on frozen rat gut sections.
- Immunofluorescence and flow cytometry on isolated rat IEL.
- Staining with monoclonal antibody R73 specific for alpha beta TcR.
Main Results:
- A mean of 61% of IEL in frozen sections stained positive for alpha beta TcR.
- Flow cytometry showed 40-62% of isolated IEL expressed alpha beta TcR.
- The IEL population was predominantly CD8+ (90%) and LCA+ (98%), with minimal CD4+ (10%) cells.
Conclusions:
- Rat intestinal IEL predominantly express alpha beta TcR, contrary to the notion of gamma delta T cell dominance.
- These findings in rats align with previous studies in mice, indicating conserved IEL composition.
Abstract:
Intra-epithelial lymphocytes (IEL) in normal rat small intestine have been analysed for alpha beta T cell receptor (TcR) expression by immunoperoxidase histochemistry on frozen sections of gut, and by immunofluorescence on isolated cells. In frozen sections, a mean value of 61% of IEL were stained by the monoclonal antibody R73, which is specific for an invariant determinant of the alpha beta TcR. Analysis of isolated IEL by flow cytometry gave similar results and showed that 40-62% of IEL were stained by R73. Of the IEL population as a whole, 98% of cells were LCA+, 90% CD8+ and 10% CD4+. These results for alpha beta TcR expression in rat intestinal IEL closely parallel our recent data for mice, and are at variance with the view that this lymphoid compartment is dominated by gamma delta T cells.
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