Quantitative analysis of the response of human T cell receptor Vγ9+ cells to Plasmodium falciparum

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Abstract
Plasmodium falciparum stimulates peripheral blood γδ+ T cells from unexposed donors. The responding cells bear Vγ9+ chains of the T cell receptor, the majority of which, but not all, are associated with Vγ2 chains. We have analyzed whether the precursor frequency of these Vγ9+ cells approaches that expected of superantigens or mitogens and whether, like a superantigen, the response is major histocompatibility complex (MHC) unrestricted. Limiting dilution analyses of the response of enriched γδ+ T cells to P. falciparum using autologous and heterogolous antigen-presenting cells suggest that the response is more characteristic of an antigen-specific MHC-restricted response. The frequencies are lower than would be expected if all Vγ9+ cells respond, and there is a dramatically reduced response when allogeneic antigen-presenting cells are used.