Purified bovine WC1(+) gamma delta T lymphocytes are activated by staphylococcal enterotoxins and toxic shock syndrome toxin-1 superantigens: proliferation response, TCR V gamma profile and cytokines expression

In this study, the ability of purified bovine gamma delta T cells in vitro to be activated by superantigens (SAg) was investigated. Freshly isolated W C1(+) gamma delta T cells, in the presence of autologous glutaraldehyde-fix ed or gamma -irradiated antigen presenting cells (APC) and IL-2, were incub ated with staphylococcal enterotoxins A and B (SEA and SEE), and toxic shoc k syndrome toxin-1 (TSST-1). Both a proliferative response and the expressi on of particular T cell receptor genes of the gamma variable (TCR V gamma) repertoire family were induced. Genes encoding TCR V gamma1 and TCR V gamma 2 family, but not TCR V gamma5 were detected. The cells also expressed cyto kine transcripts, namely, those of IL-12, IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha, but not IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-7 and IL-10. The activation and proliferation of fresh ly isolated gamma delta T cells by non-processed antigens required two sign als, one originating from the APC and a second dependent on exogenous IL-2. Our results show that purified bovine WC1(+) gamma delta T cells could be driven to proliferate and to express a particular TCRV gamma profile in res ponse to superantigen activation. The possible implication of cytokines exp ressed by bovine gamma delta T cells in immunopathogenesis is discussed. (C ) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.