Immunophenotype and TCR-V beta repertoire of peripheral blood T-cells in acute infectious mononucleosis

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2003

Authors

Lima, M (Author) Other; Teixeira, MD (Author) Other; Queiros, ML (Author) Other; Santos, AH (Author) Other; Goncalves, C (Author) Other; Correia, J (Author) Other; Farinha, F (Author) Other; Mendonca, F (Author) Other; Soares, JMN (Author) Other; Almeida, J (Author) Other; Orfao, A (Author) Other; Justica, B (Author) Other

Journal

Title: Blood Cells, Molecules, and Diseases

Vol. 30

Pages: 1-12

ISSN: 1079-9796

Publisher: Elsevier

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 24 Citations

Scopus - 25 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-000-J8S

DOI: 10.1016/s1079-9796(03)00014-7

Abstract (EN): Although a number of studies on the phenotypic changes that occur after T-cell activation have already been published, the specific immunophenotypic features of T-lymphocytes and the frequency at which TCR-variable region (TCR-V) restricted T-cell expansions occur "in vivo" during acute viral infection still remains to be established. We report on the immunophenotype and TCR-V repertoire of peripheral blood T-cells from 28 patients with acute infectious mononucleosis. Immunophenotypic studies were performed by flow cytometry using direct immunofluorescence techniques and stain-and-then-lyse sample preparation protocols with three- and four-colour combinations of monoclonal antibodies directed against a large panel of T- and NK-cell associated markets, activation- and adhesion-related molecules and TCR-Vbeta, -Vgamma and -Vdelta families. Nearly all patients (27/28) showed a massive expansion of CD8(+)/TCRalphabeta(+) T cells, the majority (>90%) of which displayed an immunophenotype compatible with T-cell activation: CD2(+high) CD7(+low), CD11a(+high), CD38(+high), HLA-DR+high, CD28(+/-low), CD45RO(+high), CD45RA(-/+low), CD11b(-/+low), CD11c(+/-low), CD16(-), CD56(-), CD57(-),CD62L(-),CD94(-),CD158a(-),CD161(-),NKB1(-). Additionally, the levels of both CD3 and CD5 were slightly decreased compared to those found in normal individuals. Late-activation antigens, such as CD57, were found in small proportions of CD8(+)/rCRalphabeta(+) T-cells. Increased numbers of CD4(+)/TCRalphabeta(+) T-cells, TCRgammadelta(+) T-cells and NK-cells were also noticed in 17, 16 and 13 of the 28 cases studied, respectively. Evidence for activation of CD4(+)/rCRalphabeta(+) and TCRgammadelta(+) T-cells relied on changes similar to those described for CD8(+)/TCRalphabeta(+) although less pronounced, except for higher levels of both CD5 and CD28 in the absence of reactivity for CD11c on CD4+/TCRalphabeta(+) T-cells and higher levels of CD161 and CD94 on TCRgammadelta(+) T-cells. Small expansions of one or more TCR-Vbeta families accounting for 12 +/- 7% of either the CD8(+)/TCRalphabeta(+) or the CWITCRap' T-cell compartment were found in 12 of 14 patients studied, whereas the distribution of the TCR-Vgamma and -Vdelta repertoires tested in 2 of the individuals with expanded TCRgammadelta(+) T-cells was similar to that observed in control individuals. The results presented here provide evidence for an extensive T-cell activation during acute viral infection and establish the immunophenotype patterns associated with this condition.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 12