Gamma/delta T lymphocytes in the BCG granulomatous lesions.
10.3349/ymj.1996.37.5.319
- Author:
Dong Soo KIM
1
;
Ki Young LEE
;
Woo Ick YANG
;
Seok Joo HAN
;
Eui Ho HWANG
Author Information
1. Department of Pediatrics, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
BCG granuloma gamma delta T cell
- MeSH:
Female;
Granuloma/immunology/*pathology;
Human;
Infant;
Lymph Nodes/pathology;
Male;
*Mycobacterium bovis;
Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta/*analysis;
T-Lymphocytes/*immunology;
Tuberculosis/immunology/*pathology
- From:Yonsei Medical Journal
1996;37(5):319-324
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Recent studies in man and animal models have demonstrated that TCR-gamma delta-bearing T cells (gamma delta T cells) are activated by mycobacteria and accumulate in the sites of mycobacterial infection. Although the function of gamma delta T cells remains unclear, some data suggest a potential role for these cells in the granulomatous immune response. To address the presence of gamma delta T cells within the BCG granulomas, we have characterized the TCR phenotype of T-lymphocytes present in the BCG granulomatous lesion immunohistochemically using a monoclonal antibody to TCR delta 1 and others. Fairly large numbers of gamma delta T cells were located at the periphery of the BCG granulomas without necrosis and most of them also expressed CD8. However, gamma delta T cells were rarely present in the granulomas with central caseous necrosis, calcification and fibrotic changes. With these results, it might be speculated that the CD8+ gamma delta T lymphocytes participate in the BCG granuloma formation mainly in the early stage.
