Identification and Regulation of TCRαβ+CD8αα+ Intraepithelial Lymphocytes in Murine Oral Mucosa

Front Immunol. 2020 Aug 4:11:1702. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2020.01702. eCollection 2020.

Abstract

TCRαβ+CD8αα+ intraepithelial lymphocytes (IELs) are abundant in gastrointestinal (GI) tract and play an important role in regulation of mucosal immunity and tolerance in the gut. However, it is unknown whether TCRαβ+CD8αα+ IELs exist in the oral mucosa and if yes, what controls their development. We here identified and characterized TCRαβ+CD8αα+ IELs from the murine oral mucosa. We showed that the number and function of TCRαβ+CD8αα+ IELs were regulated by TGF-β. We further revealed that oral TCRαβ+CD8αα+ IELs could be altered under systemic inflammatory conditions and by antibiotic treatment at the neonatal age of the mice. Our findings have revealed a previously unrecognized population of oral IELs that may regulate oral mucosal immune responses.

Keywords: TCRαβ+CD8αα+; TGF-β; intraepithelial lymphocytes; oral mucosa; unconventional immune cells.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Intramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Animals, Newborn
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / pharmacology
  • CD8 Antigens / metabolism*
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / drug effects
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / metabolism
  • Gastrointestinal Microbiome
  • Immunity, Mucosal* / drug effects
  • Interferon-gamma / metabolism
  • Intestinal Mucosa / immunology
  • Intestinal Mucosa / metabolism
  • Intestinal Mucosa / microbiology
  • Intraepithelial Lymphocytes / drug effects
  • Intraepithelial Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • Intraepithelial Lymphocytes / metabolism
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Mouth Mucosa / drug effects
  • Mouth Mucosa / immunology*
  • Mouth Mucosa / metabolism
  • Phenotype
  • Receptor, Transforming Growth Factor-beta Type I / genetics
  • Receptor, Transforming Growth Factor-beta Type I / metabolism
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta / metabolism*
  • Signal Transduction
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta1 / genetics
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta1 / metabolism

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • CD8 Antigens
  • CD8 antigen, alpha chain
  • IFNG protein, mouse
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta
  • Tgfb1 protein, mouse
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta1
  • Interferon-gamma
  • Receptor, Transforming Growth Factor-beta Type I
  • Tgfbr1 protein, mouse