In:
Digestion, S. Karger AG, Vol. 63, No. Suppl. 1 ( 2001), p. 48-51
Abstract:
〈 i 〉 Background and Objectives: 〈 /i 〉 γδT cell populations are well-known for their unique distribution (e.g. intra-epithelial lymphocytes). Though their ligands play a major role in the immune response they have remained largely obscure. To shed light on this issue, we have analyzed in this study the complementarity determining region (CDR) 3 of the T cell receptor (TCR) Vδ2 chains. This provides an insight into the antigenic immune response in the intestinal mucosa in sickness and health. 〈 i 〉 Methodology: 〈 /i 〉 Total RNA was extracted from surgically resected intestinal mucosa of patients with Crohn’s disease (CD) and controls. TCR Vδ2 cDNA was PCR-amplified using Vδ2 sense primer and Cδ antisense primer. The PCR products were then subcloned in pUC18 plasmid. From each sample, 20 subclones were randomly selected and subjected to nucleotide sequence analysis. 〈 i 〉 Results: 〈 /i 〉 Sequence analysis revealed that the CDR3 sequences of the TCR Vδ2 chains were unique to each individual. The evidence also showed a significant restriction of the junctional diversity of the TCR Vδ2 chains while no such restriction was found for CD. 〈 i 〉 Conclusions: 〈 /i 〉 The marked complexity of the TCR Vδ2 junctional sequences and the oligoclonality of the TCR Vδ2 genes in the control subjects are indicative of a positive selection and expansion of specific T cells in the normal, healthy condition. In CD patients, however, the expression of distinct, non-overlapping TCR Vδ2 clonotypes can be found, suggesting polyclonal activation of γδT cells in the diseased colon of CD patients. These findings have led us to conclude that accumulation of multiple γδT cell clonotypes may be involved in the pathogenesis of CD.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
0012-2823
,
1421-9867
Language:
English
Publisher:
S. Karger AG
Publication Date:
2001
detail.hit.zdb_id:
1482218-0
