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Background:
The characteristics
and roles of gut
lymphocytes have
been only partly
elucidated, in
particular with
regard to activation
patterns.
Objectives:
To characterize
lymphocytes from
various parts of the
gut and examine
their activation
pattern as a
network.
Methods:
Lymphocytes were
isolated from the
epithelium, the
lamina propria,
Peyer's patches,
mesenteric lymph
nodes, the spleen,
and peripheral blood
of naïve mice. They
were then
characterized for T
cell phenotype, T
cell receptors (TcRs),
activation markers,
and cytokine
production.
Results: The
results showed a
gradient of cells
with an increasing
proportion of TcRγδ+,
CD8αα+ cells towards
the gut lumen, with
the highest number
found in
intraepithelial
lymphocytes. These
cells, together with
lamina propria
lymphocytes (LPLs)
were also
characterized by a
memory-like
phenotype (CD25
CD45RBlow and
CD44high) and CD69
expression. CD8+
TcRγδ+ LPLs produced
IL-10 and IL-17,
while TcRαß+ LPLs
were FoxP3 positive.
Conclusions:
Gut lymphocytes
express various
receptors and
cytokines according
to their location.
These specific
features suggest a
differential
function for gut
lymphocytes
depending on their
location.
Key words:
TcRγδ+ lymphocytes.
IL-17. IL-10.
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