Induction of Fc alpha receptor expression on T cells from murine Peyer's patch, spleen and thymus
Char, D.; Aicher, W.K.; McGhee, J.R.; Eldridge, J.H.; Beagley, K.W.; Kiyono, H.
Regional Immunology 3(5): 228-235
1990
ISSN/ISBN: 0896-0623 PMID: 2151788 Document Number: 358820
It has been shown that Fc alpha receptor-positive (Fc alpha R) lymphocytes function in the regulation of IgA responses. In the present study, we have compared the frequency of Fc alpha R+ T cells in IgA inductive sites, e.g., the Peyer's patches (PP) with a systemic tissue, the spleen (SP), and the progenitor tissue, thymus. CD3+, Thy-1+ T cells were incubated with purified IgA and then counterstained with fluorescence conjugated anti-mouse alpha-chain specific antibody. Flow cytometry (FACS) analysis showed a distinct subset of Fc alpha R+ T cells in both PP (5-10%) and SP (1-4%), while essentially no Fc alpha R+ T cells were found among isolated thymocytes. The Fc alpha R+ T cells in PP were associated with the population of large, blast cells as determined by forward angle light scatter analysis. The expression of the Fc alpha R could be induced or augmented by activation of T cells with anti-CD3 antibody. Incubation of thymocytes with anti-CD3 antibody resulted in the induction of thymocyte blasts and in Fc alpha R expression in this large cell population. Treatment of splenocytes with anti-CD3 also induced T cell blasts and enhanced the frequency of Fc alpha R+ T cells in this large cell population. Furthermore, when splenic T cells were separated into large blasts and small, resting T cell fractions on Percoll-gradients and then incubated with anti-CD3 antibody, the enhancement of Fc alpha R+ T cells was only noted in the latter cell population.