T-Lymphocytes Subpopulations in the Bronchus-Associated Lymphoid Tissue (BALT) of Malnourished Rats

MÁRQUEZ M.GABRIELA; SOSA GUSTAVO A; SLOBODIANIK NORA H.; ROUX M. ESTELA

Journal of Nutritional Immunology

The Haworth Press

Lugar: Philadelphia; Año: 2001 vol. 5 p. 29 - 35

1049-5150

Previous findings indicate that severe protein deficiency at weaning even after casein refeeding (R21) alters the seeding of BALT lamina propria (LP) with IgA+B and CD5+T cells. The aim of the present study was to determine which T cell subsets remain altered in R21 when compared to age-matched rats receiving commercial diet (C). The number of CD4+, CD8αα+ and αβ TCR T-lymphocytes were significantly decreased in the BALT LP in R21, the CD8αα+ T lymphocytes subpopulation was also significantly decreased in the intraepithelium (IE). The γδ TCR+ T lymphocytes found in the BALT LP and in the IE were significantly increased in R21 when compared to C fed rats. In summary: The decreased number of CD4+ T-lymphocytes in the LP and CD8 αα+ T-lymphocytes in LP and IE tissues may indicate alterations in some effectors functions in refed protein deficient rats. The finding of an increase in the number of γδ T-lymphocytes in R21 rats, altering the relationship of T-lymphocytes expressing γδ and αβ TCR, indicates an impairment in BALT lymphocyte differentiation