Close correlation between Daudi and mycobacterial antigen recognition by human gamma delta T cells and expression of V9JPC1 gamma/V2DJC delta-encoded T cell receptors.

Recent studies have demonstrated that a large fraction of human gamma delta PBL recognize Ag of prokaryotic and eukaryotic origins, respectively found in hydrosoluble mycobacterial extracts and on the Daudi Burkitt's lymphoma cells. The structural basis of the recognition of these Ag have been presently studied in detail, through analysis of a large panel of thymus- and peripheral blood-derived gamma delta T-cell clones. Our results suggest that Daudi and mycobacteria-reactive gamma delta subsets are strictly overlapping and hence that gamma delta T-cell responses against these two Ag are closely related. Daudi cells and mycobacteria were recognized by V gamma 9+V delta 2+, but not by V gamma 9+V delta 2-, V gamma 9-V delta 2+, or V gamma 9-V delta 2- PBL clones. However, not all V gamma 9+V delta 2+ clones were reactive and, in particular: 1) the proportion of Ag-reactive lymphocytes was much lower among thymus- than PBL-derived clones (respectively 24/36 vs 72/73); 2) none of the V gamma 9+V delta 2+ clones expressing a V9J2C2 gamma chain (n = 4) were reactive to Daudi or mycobacteria, indicating that expression of a disulfide-linked TCR is probably a prerequisite for recognition of these Ag; and 3) among V gamma 9+V delta 2+ clones bearing disulfide-linked TCR, almost all (50/53) clones expressing a V9JPC1 gamma chain were reactive, whereas a large fraction (6/10) of those expressing a V9J1C1 gamma chain were weakly or nonreactive. Together, these observations suggest that germline residues specific to V gamma 9, V delta 2, and J gamma P elements directly contribute to recognition of Daudi and mycobacterial Ag. Furthermore, these findings may provide an explanation for coordinate use of these gene elements by a large fraction of gamma delta PBL, through peripheral selection events mediated by ligands identical or structurally related to the above Ag.