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Distribution and Activation of T-lymphocyte Subsets in Tuberculous Bovine Lymph-node Granulomas^*

Department of Pathology (EL, SM, JG, AN, YS, LJ) and TB research group (HMV, AW, CH, GH), Veterinary Laboratories Agency–Weybridge, Addlestone, Surrey, England, UK

Abstract

The immune response against mycobacterial infections is dependant upon a complex interaction between T lymphocytes and macrophages in the context of the granuloma. For this study, we performed the analysis of 18 stage I or II, and 13 stage III or IV granulomas found in lymph nodes from 8 experimentally and 2 naturally infected cattle. T-cell subpopulations (CD3⁺, CD4⁺, CD8⁺, WC1⁺, CD25⁺) were investigated by immunohistochemistry. In the majority of stage I/II lesions, CD8⁺ and CD25⁺ cells were predominantly found in the lymphocytic outer region of the granuloma, suggesting a possible role for activated CD8⁺ cells in the initial attempt to restrain the granuloma growth. CD4⁺ T cells appeared equally distributed in the lymphocytic mantle and in the internal areas of the granulomas. WC1⁺ cells appeared interspersed among the macrophages. We speculated that this could indicate a role for these 2 subsets in the maintenance and the maturation of the granuloma. In stage III/IV lesions, all of the T-cell subsets investigated appeared interspersed among the mononuclear component of the granulomas. In general terms, there was a higher density of CD8⁺ cells compared with CD4⁺ cells. However, there was no sense of rimming effect for any of the investigated cell populations.

Key words: Bovine; immunopathology; T-cells; tuberculosis.

Request reprints from E. Liebana, Department of Pathology, Veterinary Laboratories Agency-Weybridge, Woodham Lane, Addlestone, KT15 3NB Surrey, England (UK). E-mail: E.liebana{at}VLA.defra.gsi.gov.UK