ENHANCED PREVALENCE OF T-CELLS EXPRESSING TCRBV8S2 AND TCRBV8S3 IN HEARTS OF CHRONICALLY TRYPANOSOMA CRUZI-INFECTED MICE

We have analysed the relative T cell receptor (TCR) BV gene usage in T cells from hearts and spleens of CBA/HJ mice chronically infected wit h the Tulahuen strain of Trypanosoma cruzi. During chronic infection, CBA/HJ mice recruit T cells at the major site of inflammation (i.e. th e heart), with over-representation of certain TCRBV gene subfamilies ( TCRBV8S2 and TCRBV8S3). In contrast, no signal or a very weak message from a limited number of T cells was recorded from one heart of the co ntrol group. No alteration of TCRBV distribution was recorded in splee ns of chronically infected CBA/HJ. Our findings indicate that there is a preferential TCRBV gene usage in the T cell response in the hearts of chronically infected mice. Furthermore, the pattern of CDR3 lengths in inflammatory T cells was altered. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. A ll rights reserved.