Characterization of NKT and gamma delta T (gdT) cells in the Pleural Effusions (PE) of tuberculous Pleurisy.

YOKOBORI N; SCHIERLOH P; ALEMÁN M; MUSELLA R; ABBATE E; SASIAIN MC; DE LA BARRERA S

Córdoba. Argentina

Congreso; VII Latin American Congress of Immunology; 2005

Asociación Latinoamericana de Inmunología (ALAI)

CD3+CD56+ NKT and gdT cells are minor T cell subsets which clinical potential lies in the early cytokines release modulating the immune response. We evaluated the presence and the activation state of these subsets in mononuclear cells from PE and peripheral blood (PB) of patients with tuberculosis (TB).  The percentage of NKT is diminished in TB-PE (PB= 6±5, PE2.4±1.5,  n=14, p<0.001). However this subset is increased between the CD56+ cells in PE (PB= 25±15, PE=38±17, n014, p<0,01) along with the expression of the CD69 activation marker. gdTCR is expressed in higher amount within PE-NKT cells (PE=22±11, PB= 11±9, n=5,p<0,05). Total gdT cells are diminished in PE (PB= 3.5±1, PE= 2±0.7, n=6, p<0.05) and express higher CD69 (PB= 15±12, PE= 32±7, p<0.05) and HLA-DR (PB=18±15, PE= 25±19, p<0,05), however no differences in CD94, NKG2D, NKG2A,  CCR7 and CXCR3 receptor  expression were observed. Upon stimulation with Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) a significant increase in the number of cells expressing IFNg was detected in PE-NKT (Control= 10±4, Mtb= 17±4) while IL-10 was diminished (C= 7±±2, Mtb= 4±2). Taking together these results suggest that NKT cells are activated producing much IFNg than IL-10 in the PE favoring a pro-inflammatory milieu.