Abstract
NK cells and gammadelta T cells are distinct subsets of lymphocytes that contextually share multiple phenotypic and functional characteristics. However, the acquisition and the extent of these similarities remain poorly understood. Here, using T cell receptor delta locus-histone 2B-enhanced GFP (Tcrd-H2BEGFP) reporter mice, we show that germ-line transcription of Tcrd occurs in all maturing NK cells. We also describe a population of mouse NK-like cells that are indistinguishable from "bona fide" NK cells using standard protocols. Requirements for V(D)J recombination and a functional thymus, along with very low-level expression of surface TCRgammadelta but high intracellular CD3, define these cells as gammadelta T cells. "NK-like gammadelta T cells" are CD127+, have a memory-activated phenotype, express multiple NK cell receptors and readily produce interferon-gamma in response to IL-12/IL-18 stimulation. The close phenotypic resemblance between NK cells and NK-like gammadelta T cells is a source of experimental ambiguity in studies bridging NK and T cell biology, such as those on thymic NK cell development. Instead, it ascribes chronic TCRgammadelta engagement as a means of acquiring NK-like function.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
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Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing / genetics
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Animals
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Antigens, Surface / metabolism
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Bone Marrow Cells / cytology
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Bone Marrow Cells / immunology
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Bone Marrow Cells / metabolism
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CD3 Complex / genetics
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CD3 Complex / metabolism
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Cell Lineage / immunology
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Cytokines / pharmacology
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Forkhead Transcription Factors / genetics
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Gene Expression
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Gene Rearrangement, delta-Chain T-Cell Antigen Receptor*
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Histones / genetics
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Homeodomain Proteins / genetics
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Immunophenotyping
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Integrin alpha2 / metabolism
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Interferon-gamma / metabolism
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Interleukin-2 Receptor beta Subunit / analysis
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Killer Cells, Natural / cytology
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Killer Cells, Natural / drug effects
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Killer Cells, Natural / metabolism*
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Lectins, C-Type / metabolism
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Lysosomal-Associated Membrane Protein 1 / metabolism
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Membrane Proteins / genetics
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Mice
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Mice, Inbred C57BL
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Mice, Knockout
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Mice, Nude
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Mice, Transgenic
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NK Cell Lectin-Like Receptor Subfamily B
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Phosphoproteins / genetics
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Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta / genetics
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Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta / metabolism*
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T-Lymphocytes / cytology
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T-Lymphocytes / drug effects
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T-Lymphocytes / metabolism*
Substances
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Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing
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Antigens, Surface
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CD3 Complex
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Cd3e protein, mouse
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Cytokines
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Forkhead Transcription Factors
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Histones
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Homeodomain Proteins
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Il2rb protein, mouse
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Integrin alpha2
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Interleukin-2 Receptor beta Subunit
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Lat protein, mouse
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Lectins, C-Type
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Lysosomal-Associated Membrane Protein 1
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Membrane Proteins
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NK Cell Lectin-Like Receptor Subfamily B
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Phosphoproteins
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Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta
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Whn protein
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RAG-1 protein
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Interferon-gamma