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- Title
Activated Human γδ T Lymphocytes Express Functional Lactoferrin Receptors.
- Authors
Mincheva-Nilsson, L.; Hammarström, S.; Hammarström, M.-L.
- Abstract
Lactoferrin (Lf), an iron-binding protein in milk, mucosal secretions and neutrophil granules has bactericidal properties and is a source of iron for breast-fed infants. In this paper the authors show that most <em>in vivo</em> activated lymphocytes, i.e. freshly isolated lymphocytes from first trimester human decidua, and most <em>in vitro</em> activated human blood lymphocytes, express lactoferrin receptors (Lf-R), while unstimulated blood lymphocytes do not. All major lymphocyte subsets, i.e. αβ T cells, γδ T cells, CD8+ T cells, CD4+ T cells, B cells and NK cells, express Lf-R after activation. The proportion of Lf-R expressing activated γδ T cells is significantly larger than that of activated αβ T cells. Lf-R and transferrin receptors (Tr-R/CD71) show the same kinetics of appearance on activated blood lymphocytes and are, to a large extent, expressed on the same cells. However, 35% of decidual lymphocytes and 15% of activated blood lymphocytes express Lf-R only. Addition of Lf to cultures containing an optimal concentration of Tr augments the proliferative response to polyclonal T cell activators and alloantigens, suggesting that presently used standard culture conditions for <em>in vitro</em> activation are suboptimal in particular for γδ T cells. Lf-R on decidual lymphocytes contain bound Lf, which probably is produced locally. The results suggest that Lf is a growth-supporting factor, especially important in local immune responses in the mucosa.
- Subjects
LYMPHOCYTES; CARRIER proteins; LACTOFERRIN; T cells; MUCOUS membranes
- Publication
Scandinavian Journal of Immunology, 1997, Vol 46, Issue 6, p609
- ISSN
0300-9475
- Publication type
Article