scholarly journals Double-Negative T-Cell Reaction in a Case of Listeria Meningitis

Author(s):  
Asad Ullah ◽  
G. Taylor Patterson ◽  
Samantha N. Mattox ◽  
Thomas Cotter ◽  
Nikhil G. Patel ◽  
...  

Gamma delta T-cells are commonly found in response to Listeria monocytogenes infection in mice, whereas this same immunological response has only been reported a few times in vivo in humans. Moreover, gamma delta T-cell response in cerebral spinal fluid samples in conjunction with Listeria meningitis has never been described in medical literature to date. Thus, we describe a 64-year-old male who presented with altered mental status, fever, and neck stiffness. After lumbar puncture revealed elevated glucose, protein, lactate dehydrogenase, and white blood cell count, further cytologic analysis was indicated. The CSF showed a markedly hypercellular sample with a lymphocytic pleocytosis, including some enlarged forms with irregular nuclear contours, and rare macrophage containing intracytoplasmic bacteria. Lymphocyte immunophenotyping was performed via flow cytometric analysis, which ultimately revealed a prominent CD4/CD8 negative T-cell population, suggestive of a gamma delta T-cell population. Thus, an initial suspicion of malignancy was considered but was ruled out due to the absence of mass lesion on imaging and overall features including heterogenous lymphocyte morphology. Shortly after, gram stain and cultures were obtained revealing Listeria monocytogenes. Unfortunately, the patient rapidly succumbed to disease following the diagnosis of Listeria meningitis. Studies suggest that gamma delta T-cells are activated by the protein components of Listeria and thus have been found to be an important mediator of resistance to Listeria infection. Studies have also discovered that the level of activation for these T-cells appears to be tissue specific and dose dependent, with most cases occurring within visceral organs. Hence, we herein present the first case of gamma delta T-cell activation due to Listeria monocytogenes within the cerebral spinal fluid of a human patient.

1993 ◽  
Vol 178 (3) ◽  
pp. 985-996 ◽  
Author(s):  
M J Skeen ◽  
H K Ziegler

Peritoneal gamma/delta T cells from Listeria-immune mice show an enhanced potential to expand when restimulated with antigens or mitogens in vitro (see companion paper [Skeen, M. J., and H. K. Ziegler. 1993. J. Exp. Med. 178:971]). When cocultured with peritoneal alpha/beta T cells, the gamma/delta T cell population expanded preferentially even when the in vitro stimulus was specific for the alpha/beta T cell population. Purified gamma/delta T cells did not respond to alpha/beta T cell-specific stimuli. If isolated T cell subsets were recombined in cell mixing experiments, the resulting proliferative response was greater than additive. Irradiated alpha/beta T cells could enhance the proliferation of responding gamma/delta T cells, but the effect was unidirectional; i.e., irradiated gamma/delta T cells did not stimulate responding gamma/delta T cells. This effect appeared to be cytokine mediated and did not require cell-cell contact. Both recombinant interleukin 2 (rIL-2) and rIL-7 could support the expansion of the gamma/delta T cells, while rIL-7 was only minimally stimulatory for the alpha/beta T cells. The magnitude of the response by gamma/delta T cells to rIL-7 exceeded the response to other in vitro stimuli, including immobilized anti-T cell receptor monoclonal antibody, and was 50-100-fold greater than the alpha/beta T cell response to IL-7. This unique sensitivity of gamma/delta T cells to IL-7 was strongly enhanced by the presence of accessory cells. These cells could be replaced by rIL-1, establishing a synergy for IL-1 and IL-7 as factors that could uniquely stimulate this gamma/delta T cell population. Isolated peritoneal gamma/delta T cells from Listeria-immune mice react to heat-killed Listeria preparations in the presence of macrophages accessory cells in a non-H-2-restricted manner. Considered collectively, these results suggest a potential mechanism by which gamma/delta T cells can predominate in epithelial tissues and at sites of infection.


1993 ◽  
Vol 177 (2) ◽  
pp. 425-432 ◽  
Author(s):  
K W Wucherpfennig ◽  
Y J Liao ◽  
M Prendergast ◽  
J Prendergast ◽  
D A Hafler ◽  
...  

Substantial numbers of both alpha/beta and gamma/delta T cells are present in human fetal liver, which suggests a role of the fetal liver in T cell development. The diversity of fetal liver T cell receptor (TCR) gamma and delta chain rearrangements was examined among both CD4+CD8- and CD4-CD8- gamma/delta T cell clones. In addition, TCR delta chain transcripts from three fetal livers were sequenced after polymerase chain reaction amplification of TCR delta chains with V delta 1 or V delta 2 rearrangements. Five of six fetal liver gamma/delta T cell clones had a V delta 2-D delta 3-J delta 3 gene rearrangement with limited junctional diversity; three of these clones had an unusual CD4+CD8- phenotype. V delta 2-D delta 3-J delta 3 gene rearrangements were also common among both in-frame and out-of-frame transcripts from three fetal livers, indicating that they are the result of an ordered rearrangement process. TCR gamma chain sequences of the fetal liver gamma/delta T cell clones revealed V gamma 1-J gamma 2.3, V gamma 2-J gamma 1.2, and V gamma 3-J gamma 1.1 rearrangements with minimal incorporation of template-independent N region nucleotides. TCR gamma chain rearrangements found in these fetal liver T cell clones were different from those that have been observed among early thymic gamma/delta T cell populations, while similar TCR delta chain rearrangements are found among gamma/delta T cells from both sites. These data demonstrate that the fetal liver harbors gamma/delta T cell populations distinct from those found in the fetal thymus, suggesting that the fetal liver is a site of gamma/delta T cell development in humans. These unusual T cell populations may serve a specific function in the fetal immune system.


1993 ◽  
Vol 178 (3) ◽  
pp. 971-984 ◽  
Author(s):  
M J Skeen ◽  
H K Ziegler

Previous studies have reported an association of gamma/delta T cells with microbial infection in both human lesions and murine infectious disease models. In this study we provide a comprehensive analysis of the conditions under which the induction of gamma/delta T cells occurs at a site of infection. We found a site-specific induction of gamma/delta T cells after the injection of Listeria monocytogenes in the peritoneal cavity of C3H mice. No changes were seen in the splenic or lymph node populations after these injections. Both the proportion and the absolute number of gamma/delta T cells increased in the peritoneal cavity. Additionally, when peritoneal T cells from Listeria-immune mice were restimulated in vitro, the induced gamma/delta T cells exhibited a greater expansion potential than the alpha/beta T cells. Neither the induced gamma/delta T cells nor those from normal mice expressed CD4 or CD8 on the cell surface. Thy-1 was expressed on only 29% of normal peritoneal gamma/delta T cells, but after intraperitoneal Listeria injection 65% of induced gamma/delta T cells expressed. Thy-1, Pgp-1 and CD45R expression on both normal and induced gamma/delta T cells was consistent with an activation phenotype. Significant increases in peritoneal gamma/delta T cells were not seen until 5-7 d after Listeria injection. The proportion of the CD3+ population expressing the gamma/delta T cell receptor remained elevated for 6-7 wk, while the absolute numbers of peritoneal gamma/delta T cells declined gradually over this time period, reflecting a decrease in both the number of lymphocytes and the percentage of these that were CD3+. Peak numbers of gamma/delta T cells were seen at day 10 with live microbes such as Listeria. A variety of microbes, toxins, mitogens, antigens, cytokines, and nonspecific inflammatory agents were evaluated for their ability to induce gamma/delta T cells in the peritoneal cavity. Both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria as well as Mycobacteria were able to induce gamma/delta T cells that showed increased in vitro expansion potential. An exotoxin from a Gram-positive organism, listeriolysin-o, and the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) endotoxin from a Gram-negative organism were also effective. gamma/delta T cell responses to LPS were under lps gene control. Peak numbers of gamma/delta T cells were observed at day 3 after injection with exotoxins and endotoxins. Modifications that abrogated the virulence of a bacterial strain also eliminated the inductive effect for gamma/delta T cells.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)


Blood ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 124 (21) ◽  
pp. 1427-1427
Author(s):  
Suzanne L Tomchuck ◽  
Jin He ◽  
Ross W. Perko ◽  
Scarlett Evans ◽  
Amy McKenna ◽  
...  

Abstract Cord blood (CB) T cells are known to be naïve cells, but can be activated to respond similar to adult peripheral blood (PB) T cells. Reports indicate that culture with aminobisphosphonate (NBP) stimulates CB gamma delta T cell proliferation ex vivo, specifically the TCRγ9δ2 subset, which has been extensively studied in PB gamma delta T cells. As CB gamma delta T cells are not well described, we compared CB gamma delta T cell proliferation, phenotype and genotype to PB gamma delta T cells when culturing cells with the NBP, Zometa (zoledronic acid), and IL-2. Fourteen days in culture resulted in significant fold increase in the proliferation of gamma delta T cells and in the percent of lymphocytes in both sample types. PB gamma delta T cells proliferated more robustly than CB with a 288.60 versus 21.32 fold increase, respectively. Additionally, in freshly isolated samples, CB gamma delta T cells comprised an average of 1.404% of the lymphocyte population, which was similar to PB gamma delta T cells, with an average of 2.319%. However, by day 14, PB gamma delta T cells increased to 70.15% of lymphocytes whereas CB gamma delta T cells increased to 12.49%. Phenotypically, both CB and PB had similar percent of CD45RA+ and CD45RO+ gamma delta T cell memory subsets in freshly isolated samples. Following culture, PB gamma delta T cells were mostly CD45RO+ memory cells, with significantly fewer CD45RA+ naïve cells, whereas more CB gamma delta T cells were of the intermediate CD45RA+CD45RO+ subset. Further phenotypic analysis of the memory subsets indicated that cultured PB gamma delta T cells were either effector memory cells (CD27-CD45RA-) or central memory cells (CD27+CD45RA-), while CB gamma delta T cells were mostly naïve (CD27+CD45RA+). The cytokines secreted by these cells were also assessed and the culture of PB and CB gamma delta T cells resulted in differing cytokine secretion profiles. After 14 days of culture, PB gamma delta T cells secreted more IFNγ and TNFα, while CB gamma delta T cells secreted more IL-10 and RANTES. We also examined TCRγ9 and TCRδ2 phenotypic expression and found that the TCRγ9δ2 was a common clone in freshly isolated PB gamma delta T cells, which predominated after 14 days in culture. However, while the TCRγ9δ2 variant was expressed in CB gamma delta T cells, it was low before and after culture, suggesting that Zometa may not stimulate gamma delta T cells in CB the same as PB. As limited TCRγδ phenotypic reagents are available, we developed a single cell PCR assay for genotypic analysis of the TCRγδ repertoire. PCR analysis suggests that the TCRγδ repertoire is diverse in both samples, yet TCRγ9δ2 is most prevalent. Further analysis of the variant subsets is warranted and may give insight into how each of these receptor pairings affects function. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.


1995 ◽  
Vol 182 (6) ◽  
pp. 1921-1930 ◽  
Author(s):  
P Pereira ◽  
D Gerber ◽  
S Y Huang ◽  
S Tonegawa

A hamster monoclonal antibody (mAb) recognizing an epitope in the V gamma 1-J gamma 4-C gamma 4 chain of the gamma/delta T cell receptor has been generated. Using this mAb, we have quantitated the occurrence of V gamma 1-bearing gamma/delta T cells in the developing thymus and in the lymphoid organs and several epithelia of adult mice. The V gamma 1-expressing cells constitute a minor gamma/delta T cell subpopulation during fetal and early postnatal life, but they constitute a major population of gamma/delta T cells in the thymus and in the peripheral lymphoid organs in adult mice. In addition, we found that V gamma 1-bearing cells comprise a large proportion (15-60%) of the gamma/delta T cells present in the intestinal epithelium (i-IEL) in all strains of mice tested. V gamma 1+ i-IEL are present in athymic (nude) mice and in antigen-free mice, demonstrating that they can develop extrathymically and that their presence in the intestinal epithelium is independent of the antigenic load of the gut. Our results show that V gamma 1-bearing lymphocytes account for the largest population of gamma/delta T cells in the mouse. This population includes a thymus-dependent component that homes to the secondary lymphoid organs and a thymus-independent component that constitutes a major fraction of the gamma/delta i-IELs.


1992 ◽  
Vol 175 (1) ◽  
pp. 49-56 ◽  
Author(s):  
K Hiromatsu ◽  
Y Yoshikai ◽  
G Matsuzaki ◽  
S Ohga ◽  
K Muramori ◽  
...  

We have previously reported that T cells bearing T cell receptors (TCRs) of gamma/delta type appear at a relatively early stage of primary infection with Listeria monocytogenes in mice. To characterize the early-appearing gamma/delta T cells during listeriosis, we analyzed the specificity and cytokine production of the gamma/delta T cells in the peritoneal cavity in mice inoculated intraperitoneally with a sublethal dose of L. monocytogenes. The early-appearing gamma/delta T cells, most of which were of CD4-CD8- phenotype, proliferated and secreted IFN-gamma and macrophage chemotactic factor in response to purified protein derivative from Mycobacterium tuberculosis, or recombinant 65-kD heat-shock protein derived from M. bovis but not to heat-killed Listeria. To further elucidate the potential role of the gamma/delta T cells in the host-defense mechanism against primary infection with Listeria, we examined the effects of in vivo administration of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against TCR-gamma/delta or TCR-alpha/beta on the bacterial eradication in mice infected with Listeria. Most of alpha/beta T cells or gamma/delta T cells were depleted in the peripheral lymphoid organs at least for 12 d after an intraperitoneal injection of 200 micrograms TCR-alpha/beta mAb or 200 micrograms TCR-gamma/delta mAb, respectively. An exaggerated bacterial multiplication was evident at the early stage of listerial infection in the gamma/delta T cells-depleted mice, whereas the alpha/beta T cell-depleted mice exhibited much the same resistance level as the control mice at this stage although the resistance was severely impaired at the late stage after listerial infection.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)


2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (Suppl 3) ◽  
pp. A727-A727
Author(s):  
Suresh De Silva ◽  
George Fromm ◽  
Louis Gonzalez ◽  
Arpita Patel ◽  
Kyung Yoon ◽  
...  

BackgroundA primary mechanism of cancer immunotherapy resistance involves downregulation of specific antigens or major histocompatibility complex based antigen presentation, which renders tumor cells invisible to alpha-beta T cells, but not gamma-delta T cells. Recently, a two-step model of gamma-delta T cell activation has emerged, wherein one butyrophilin (BTN, ie. BTN2A1) directly binds the gamma-delta TCR but is only activated if certain molecular patterns (eg. phosphoantigens) facilitate recruitment of a second BTN (ie. BTN3A1) into a complex to form a BTN2A1/3A1 heterodimer. The BTN2A1/3A1 complex specifically activates the predominant gamma-delta T cell population in the peripheral blood, comprising the Vg9d2 T cell receptor (TCR), but does not activate the primary gamma-delta T cell population in mucosal tissues, comprising the Vg4 TCR. The unique mechanism of action and specificity of gamma-delta TCR/BTN interactions suggests that therapeutic proteins comprising specific BTN heterodimers could be used to target specific gamma-delta T cell populations, with a lower risk of off-target activation common with CD3-directed T cell engagers.MethodsHuman BTN2A1/3A1-Fc-CD19scFv and mouse BTNL1/6-Fc-CD19scFv heterodimeric fusion proteins were purified and binding to CD19 or the respective gamma-delta TCRs was assessed by ELISA, Octet and flow cytometry using gd T-cells isolated from human peripheral blood and mouse intestinal tissue. The functionality of the constructs to activate gamma-delta T cells and mediate killing of tumor cells was assessed using live cell imaging in vitro as well as a murine B-cell lymphoma model in vivo.ResultsThe CD19-targeting scFv domains of the BTN heterodimer fusion proteins bound to human and mouse CD19 with low nanomolar affinity. The BTN2A1/3A1-Fc-CD19scFv compound specifically bound to the Vg9d2 TCR on human gd T cells while the mouse BTNL1/6-Fc-CD19scFv bound to Vg7d4 TCR on mouse gd T cells. Both compounds were able to activate gd T cells in a co-culture assay resulting in degranulation and increased surface expression of CD107a and also increased apoptosis of CD19+ tumor cells. Intraperitoneal administration of the mouse BTNL1/6-Fc-CD19scFv led to anti-tumor effects in A20 tumor bearing BALB/c mice. Phenotyping from BTNL1/6-Fc-CD19scFv treated mice revealed profound and rapid expansion of the endogenous gamma-delta T cells in the circulation and tumor, with concomitant depletion of peripheral CD19+ B-cells, confirming the mechanism of action of the heterodimer as a gamma-delta T cell specific engager.ConclusionsThese results provide proof of mechanism for in vivo manipulation of gamma-delta T cells using antigen-targeted butyrophilin heterodimeric fusion proteins for the treatment of cancer.


Blood ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 112 (11) ◽  
pp. 2223-2223
Author(s):  
Lambros Kordelas ◽  
Matthias Junge ◽  
Rudolf Trenschel ◽  
Ahmet H Elmaagacli ◽  
Dietrich W Beelen

Abstract T-cells play a crucial role in the Graft-versus-Leukemia (GvL)-effect, since T-cells depleted grafts are associated with a higher relapse risk. Unfortunately, the GvL-effect is often associated with Graft-versus-Host-Disease (GvHD). T-cells can be divided into two phenotypic sub-groups by the expression of specific alpha/beta- and gamma/delta T-cell receptors. Gamma/delta-T-cells might provide a useful source for T-cell-immunotherapy since they may exert a GvL-effect without inducing a GvHD-risk. Only few studies have been carried out investigating the possible impact of gamma/delta-T-cell recovery following allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). A recent prospective study (Godder et al., BMT 2007) indicates a survival advantage for patients (pts) recovering with higher gamma/delta-T-cell numbers following HSCT. The data presented here emerge from a single-centre analysis evaluating the possible impact of higher gamma/delta-T-cell numbers following HSCT in pts with hematologic malignancies. We included all patients who had at least three consecutive analyses of alpha/beta- and gamma/delta-T-cell numbers within the first year after HSCT. This cohort of 107 patients includes the following haematological malignancies: AML (n=40), CML (n=19), ALL (n=13), MDS (n=11), OMF (n=9), NHL (n=7), and other diseases (n=8). Median patient age was 41 years (range 16 – 67 years). Median donor age was 38 years (range 18 – 70 years). HSCT was performed with related donors in 37 pts (35%) and with unrelated donors in 70 pts (65%). We defined the threshold for “high” gamma/delta-T-cell recovery as three ore more absolute gamma/delta-T-cell numbers above the absolute median gamma/delta-T number in the peripheral blood within the first 12 months after HSCT. According to this threshold 29 pts (27%) recovered with “high” gamma/delta-T-cells. These pts achieved a significantly higher overall survival with lower gamma/delta-T-cell numbers (log-rank p .029). This resulted from a lower relapse risk and a lower risk for acute GvHD. In multivariate analysis including other prognostic factors of overall survival (patient age, disease status, donor type, grades of acute GvHD and relapse), the beneficial effect of “high” gamma/delta-T-cell recovery could be confirmed. In contrast, recovery of alpha/beta T-cell numbers in peripheral blood had no significant influence on HSCT endpoints and were further not associated with the recovery of gamma/delta T-cells. This analysis supports the hypothesis of a beneficial effect of high gamma/delta-T-cells recovery following HSCT regarding overall survival. Further analyses and research are warranted to determine more accurately the importance of increased recovery of gamma/delta-T-cells to possibly develop new therapeutic options in HSCT as e.g. graft engineering.


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