Differential expression of β2-integrins and cytokine production between γδ and αβ T cells in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis

The expression of beta(2)-integrins on gamma delta T cells in naive mice or those with experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) remains poorly characterized. We compared beta(2)-integrin expression and cytokine production between gamma delta and alpha beta T cells over the acute course of EAE. We observed that unlike in alpha beta T cells, beta(2)-integrin expression on gamma delta T cells increased significantly from baseline, peaked at Day 10, and remained unchanged in the draining lymph nodes or declined in the spleen and CNS by Day 15. In addition, IFN-gamma- and TNF-alpha-producing gamma delta T cells infiltrated the CNS rapidly and produced significantly more of these cytokines than alpha beta T cells throughout the course of EAE. These results suggest unique roles for beta(2)-integrins in the trafficking of gamma delta versus alpha beta T cells during EAE and that gamma delta T cells infiltrate the CNS rapidly, producing cytokines, which modulate acute disease.