How the clonality of gamma delta T cells changes in response to exogenous a
ntigens is uncertain. Here we analyzed kinetics of V gamma 1.1 and V gamma
2 T cell clonality after intraperitoneal injection of purified protein deri
vatives (PPD) by the heterogeneity of the third complementarity determining
region (CDR3) length in V gamma 1.1-J gamma 4-C gamma 4 and V gamma 2-J ga
mma 1-C gamma 1 junctions. The V-J junctions were analyzed in intrahepatic
lymphocytes (IHL), spleen cells, and peritoneal exudate cells (PEC) by poly
acrylamide gel electrophoresis. gamma delta T cells expressing V gamma 1.1
and V gamma 2 genes were heterogeneous in normal mice. Accumulation of spec
ific V gamma 1.1 T cell clones was transiently detected 7 days after the in
jection in PEG, but no accumulation was observed in IHL and spleen cells. T
he accumulated clones disappeared by 4 weeks. Transient accumulation of V g
amma 2 T cell clones was also observed in PEC at the early phase after the
injection. These results suggest that gamma delta T cells with specific TCR
respond to PPD and temporary accumulate in the peritoneal cavity. but not
in liver and spleen.