γ δ T cell receptor positive T cells in the inflammatory joint: Lack of association with response to soluble antigens

In patients with inflammatory synovitis, the proliferative response by lymphocytes from synovial fluid to soluble mycobacterial antigens is enhanced relative to those from peripheral blood. Earlier studies suggested that γ δ T cell receptor positive (TCR+) T lymphocytes may significantly contribute to the mycobacterial-specific synovial fluid response. We therefore examined the relationship of the T cell proliferative response to Mycobacterium tuberculosis antigens and the presence of γ δ TCR+ T cells employing several monoclonal antibodies. No consistent increase of γ δ TCR+ T cells was noted in inflammatory synovial fluids or tissues. Nonetheless, lymphocytes from the majority of the synovial fluids proliferated vigorously in response to water-soluble M. tuberculosis antigens. There was no relationship between the percentage of γ δ TCR+ T lymphocytes and the intensity of the proliferative response. In contrast, stimulation with whole mycobacterial organisms was capable of enriching the γ δ TCR+ cell population obtained from the peripheral blood of tuberculosis skin test positive normal controls and from some inflammatory synovial fluids. These observations do not support a role for mycobacteria reactive γ δ TCR+ synovial T lymphocytes in response to soluble mycobacterial antigens or in the local pathogenesis of inflammatory synovitis.