INFECTION OF MYCOBACTERIUM-BOVIS BACILLUS-CALMETTE-GUERIN IN ANTIBODY-MEDIATED GAMMA-DELTA T-CELL-DEPLETED MICE

To evaluate the hypothesis that gamma delta T cells participate in pro tective immunity against mycobacterial infection, we depleted gamma de lta T cells from mice by administration of anti-T-cell receptor (TCR)g amma delta monoclonal antibody (mAb) and analysed protection against M ycobacterium bovis bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG). The gamma delta T-c ell-depleted mice did not show any exaggerated bacterial multiplicatio n compared with control mice. In contrast, alpha beta T-cell-depleted mice, which were administrated anti-TCR alpha beta mAb before BCG infe ction, showed a depressed protective immunity. These results suggest t hat gamma delta T cells are not essential for coping with a primary BC G infection.