Objective: To compare the percentages of γδT cells in the lymphocytes and CD3⁺; T cells isolated from the livers, lungs, spleen and mesenteric lymph nodes of C57BL/6 mice and the phonotype and function of γδT cells in different tissues or organs.
Methods: Lymphocytes were isolated from livers, lungs, spleen and mesenteric lymph nodes of normal C57BL/6 mice, respectively. Then, percentages of γδT cells in lymphocytes and CD3⁺; T cells, and phenotypic characteristics of γδT cells were examined by flow cytometry. Moreover, IFN-γ, IL-4, IL-9 and IL-17 secreted by γδT cells were detected by means of intracellular cytokine staining after stimulation with PMA plus ionomycin.
Results: The percentage of γδT in lymphocyte cells of the livers was significantly higher than that of the lungs, spleen and mesenteric lymph nodes (P<0.05), and the percentage in CD3⁺; T cells of the mesenteric lymph nodes was the lowest (P<0.05). CD4⁻; CD8⁻; γδT cells were the main subpopulation in these tissues and organs and there was also a small proportion of CD8⁺; γδT cells. The proportion of CD4⁺; γδT cells in the mesenteric lymph nodes was significantly higher than that in the others (P<0.05), and a group of CD4⁺; CD8⁺; γδT cells existed obviously. The percentage of IL-17⁺; cells in γδT cells was significantly higher than IFN-γ⁺; and IL-4⁺; cells, and almost no IL-9 γδT cells were found. The ability of secreting cytokines of γδT cells in the lungs was the strongest and the percentage of IL-17⁺; γδT was (26.6 ± 12.1) %. In addition, the proportion of IFN-γ⁺⁻; γδT cells in the livers and lungs were (1.36 ± 0.37)% and (1.6 ± 0.7)%, respectively.
Conclusion: The proportion, phenotype and function of γδT cells had significant difference in the livers, lungs, spleen, mesenteric lymph nodes of C57BL/6 mice.