Two gut intraepithelial CD8+ lymphocyte populations with different T cell receptors: A role for the gut epithelium in T cell differentiation

Journal Article · Fri Feb 01 04:00:00 EST 1991 · Journal of Experimental Medicine; (USA)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1084/jem.173.2.471· OSTI ID:6006165

Guy-Grand, D; Cerf-Bensussan, N; Malissen, B; Malassis-Seris, M; Briottet, C; Vassalli, P ^[1]

---

1. Institut National de la Sante et de la Recherche Medicale U.132, Paris (France)

Mouse gut intraepithelial lymphocytes (IEL) consist mainly (90%) of two populations of CD8+ T cells. One bears heterodimeric alpha/beta CD8 chains (Lyt-2+, Lyt-3+), a T cell receptor (TCR) made of alpha/beta chains, and is Thy-1+; it represents the progeny of T blasts elicited in Peyer's patches by antigenic stimulation. The other bears homodimeric alpha/alpha CD8+ chains, contains no beta chain mRNA, and is mostly Thy-1- and TCR-gamma/delta + or -alpha/beta +; it is thymo-independent and does not require antigenic stimulation, as shown by its presence: (a) in nude and scid mice; (b) in irradiated and thymectomized mice repopulated by T-depleted bone marrow cells bearing an identifiable marker; (c) in thymectomized mice treated by injections of monoclonal anti-CD8 antibody, which lead to total depletion of peripheral CD8+ T lymphocytes; and (d) in germ-free mice and in suckling mice. In young nude mice, alpha/alpha CD8 chains, CD3-TCR complexes, and TCR mRNAs (first gamma/delta) are found on IEL, while they are not detectable on or in peripheral or circulating lymphocytes or bone marrow cells. IEL, in contrast to mature T cells, contain mRNA for the RAG protein, which is required for the rearrangement of TCR and Ig genes. We propose that the gut epithelium (an endoderm derivative, as the thymic epithelium) has an inductive property, attracting progenitors of bone marrow origin, and triggering their TCR rearrangement and alpha/alpha CD8 chains expression, thus giving rise to a T cell population that appears to belong to the same lineage as gamma/delta thymocytes and to recognize an antigenic repertoire different from that of alpha/beta CD8+ IEL.

• OSTI ID: 6006165
• Journal Information: Journal of Experimental Medicine; (USA), Journal Name: Journal of Experimental Medicine; (USA) Vol. 173:2; ISSN JEMEA; ISSN 0022-1007
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

560152* -- Radiation Effects on Animals-- Animals
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
AGE DEPENDENCE
ANIMAL CELLS
ANIMAL TISSUES
ANIMALS
ANTIBODIES
BIOLOGICAL FUNCTIONS
BIOLOGICAL MATERIALS
BLOOD
BLOOD CELLS
BODY
BODY FLUIDS
CELL DIFFERENTIATION
CELL FLOW SYSTEMS
CONNECTIVE TISSUE CELLS
DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
EPITHELIUM
FLUORESCENCE
FUNCTIONS
GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT
INTESTINES
IRRADIATION
LEUKOCYTES
LUMINESCENCE
LYMPHOCYTES
MAMMALS
MATERIALS
MEDICINE
MEMBRANE PROTEINS
MESSENGER-RNA
MICE
MONOCLONAL ANTIBODIES
NUCLEIC ACIDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANS
PROTEINS
RECEPTORS
RNA
RODENTS
SOMATIC CELLS
SURGERY
THYMECTOMY
TISSUES
VERTEBRATES