Mucosal tissues of mice are enriched in T cells that express the gamma/delta T cell receptor. Since the function of these cells remains unclear, we have compared mucosal immune responses in gamma/delta T cell receptor-deficient (TCRdelta-/-) mice versus control mice of the same genetic background. The frequency of intestinal immunoglobulin (Ig) A plasma cells as well as IgA levels in serum, bile, saliva, and fecal samples were markedly reduced in TCRdelta-/- mice. The TCRdelta-/- mice produced much lower levels of IgA antibodies when immunized orally with a vaccine of tetanus toxoid plus cholera toxin as adjuvant. Conversely, the antigen-specific IgM and IgG antibody responses were comparable to orally immunized control mice. Direct assessment of the cells forming antibodies against the tetanus toxoid and cholera toxin antigens indicated that significantly lower numbers of IgA antibody-producing cells were present in the intestinal lamina propria and Peyer's patches of TCRdelta-/- mice compared with the orally immunized control mice. The selective reduction of IgA responses to ingested antigens in the absence of gamma/delta T cells suggests a specialized role for gamma/delta cells in mucosal immunity.
Article|
April 01 1996
gamma/delta T cell-deficient mice have impaired mucosal immunoglobulin A responses.
K Fujihashi,
K Fujihashi
Department of Oral Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Medical Center 35294, USA.
Search for other works by this author on:
J R McGhee,
J R McGhee
Department of Oral Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Medical Center 35294, USA.
Search for other works by this author on:
M N Kweon,
M N Kweon
Department of Oral Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Medical Center 35294, USA.
Search for other works by this author on:
M D Cooper,
M D Cooper
Department of Oral Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Medical Center 35294, USA.
Search for other works by this author on:
S Tonegawa,
S Tonegawa
Department of Oral Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Medical Center 35294, USA.
Search for other works by this author on:
I Takahashi,
I Takahashi
Department of Oral Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Medical Center 35294, USA.
Search for other works by this author on:
T Hiroi,
T Hiroi
Department of Oral Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Medical Center 35294, USA.
Search for other works by this author on:
J Mestecky,
J Mestecky
Department of Oral Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Medical Center 35294, USA.
Search for other works by this author on:
H Kiyono
H Kiyono
Department of Oral Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Medical Center 35294, USA.
Search for other works by this author on:
K Fujihashi
Department of Oral Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Medical Center 35294, USA.
J R McGhee
Department of Oral Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Medical Center 35294, USA.
M N Kweon
Department of Oral Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Medical Center 35294, USA.
M D Cooper
Department of Oral Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Medical Center 35294, USA.
S Tonegawa
Department of Oral Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Medical Center 35294, USA.
I Takahashi
Department of Oral Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Medical Center 35294, USA.
T Hiroi
Department of Oral Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Medical Center 35294, USA.
J Mestecky
Department of Oral Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Medical Center 35294, USA.
H Kiyono
Department of Oral Biology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Medical Center 35294, USA.
Online Issn: 1540-9538
Print Issn: 0022-1007
J Exp Med (1996) 183 (4): 1929–1935.
Citation
K Fujihashi, J R McGhee, M N Kweon, M D Cooper, S Tonegawa, I Takahashi, T Hiroi, J Mestecky, H Kiyono; gamma/delta T cell-deficient mice have impaired mucosal immunoglobulin A responses.. J Exp Med 1 April 1996; 183 (4): 1929–1935. doi: https://doi.org/10.1084/jem.183.4.1929
Download citation file: