Tgammadelta Cell Subsets in Cord and Adult Blood

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
A minor population of T cells expresses a heterodimeric antigen receptor composed of y and A chains (TcR‐1). In blood from adults, two subsets of Tγδ cells can be identified by the monoclonalantibodies (MoAb) BB3 and A13. Little is known about the distribution and markers of these subsets early in life. We have therefore examined both the frequencies of these cells in cord blood and their expression of the cytotoxicity‐associated marker serine esterase (SK). using immunocytochemical techniques. Our data show lower percentages of TcR‐1+ cells in the blood of newborns compared with that in adults. However, the ratio of the Al3+/BB3 cells was significantly higher in cord than in adult blood. Whereas virtually all the adult TcR‐1+ cells in blood were SE‐positive. only a small proportion of the cord blood cells earned ibis enzymes. This was; restricted lo the BB3+ Tγδ ‐cell subset in the cord. Our data suggest different characteristics of the TcR‐1+ cells in blood from newborns compared with adult blood, and study of the functions of the different subsets, e.g. cytotoxicity. will be important in understanding their particular role in immunity.