Peripheral CD25 positive T lymphocytes with biased T cell receptor Vβ gene usage in autoimmune endogenous posterior uveitis. Issue 1 (February 1995)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Tighe, P J; Forrester, J V; Liversidge, J; Sewell, H F
• Is Part Of: Journal of clinical pathology. Volume 48:Issue 1(1995)
• Page Start: M46
• Page End: M50
• Publication Date: 1995-02
• Subjects: T cell receptor; Vβ gene; endogenous posterior uveitis; Pathology -- Periodicals; Pathology, Molecular -- Periodicals; 616.0705
• DOI: 10.1136/mp.48.1.M46
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0021-9746

Abstract

Abstract : Aims —To determine T cell receptor (TCR) Vβ gene usage in peripheral blood T lymphocytes of patients with endogenous posterior uveitis (EPU). If biased TCR variable (V) gene usage occurs in this autoimmune disease, it should be detectable in immune activated peripheral blood T cells in vivo. Methods —Relative proportions of each Vβ gene family expressed in total peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) and in vivo activated (CD25+) T cells from patients with EPU and controls were determined using the anchored polymerase chain reaction (anchored PCR) in conjunction with a novel hybridisation assay. The TCR Vβ repertoires seen in these cell populations were then compared. Results —Vβ1 usage within the CD25+ lymphocytes of patients with EPU was substantially elevated (mean ± SD 15 ±9%) compared with control CD25+ cells (3.3 ±2.4%). Conclusions —By contrasting the repertoires of these cell populations, biased TCR Vβ gene usage was detected in patients with EPU, namely increased usage of Vβ1 in CD25+ T cells from peripheral blood of these patients. This approach of directly analysing the activated T cells in blood, using bulk PBL as an internal control, has wide applicability where specific T cell subpopulations are thought to play an important aetiopathological role.