Modulation of Murine Self Antigens by Mycobacterial Components

Abstract

Responses of γδ T cells to antigen are poorly understood. Murine double negative γ(+) cells generally increase in number late in mixed lymphocyte reactions (Jones et al., 1988). In humans and mice, there are instances of allo-reactive γδ T cells directed at polymorphic products of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) (Bluestone et al., 1988; Ciccone, et al., 1989). In addition, other γδ cells recognise, or are restricted by Class I-MHC-like molecules, TL, CD1, and Qa (Bonneville et al., 1989, Porcelli et al., 1989; Vidovic et al. 1989). These observations encourage the hypothesis that γδ cells recognise presenting molecules similar to, if not the same as, those recognised by αβ T cells. However, it is unclear whether in vivo, populations of γδ cells exploit high junctional diversity to recognise myriad peptides on such presenting molecules. Alternatively, populations of γδ cells with T cell receptors (TCRs) encoded by the same Vγ and Vδ genes may be selected primarily to recognise self (presenting) molecules. Such self molecules could be induced by stress, such as cell transformation or infection (Janeway et al, 1988).