T cell receptor repertoire in the peripheral blood and intestinal mucosa of coeliac patients

Abstract
SUMMARY: The αβ and γδ T cell receptor (TCR) repertoire in the peripheral blood and intestinal mucosa of six coeliac children and six age-matched controls was analysed by reverse transcription and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). No TCR αβ and γδ restriction was observed in coeliacs and controls. However, Vγ3 was expressed only in coeliac peripheral and intestinal T cells. Vδ2 was strongly expressed in coeliacs and scarcely transcribed in control cells. The unique expression of these γδ TCR in coeliac patients suggests that Vγ3 and perhaps Vδ2 TCR-bearing lymphocytes may play a role in the pathogenesis of coeliac disease.

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