Activation and Migration of CD8 T Cells in the Intestinal Mucosa

Abstract

The activation of CD8 T cells was studied using transgenic mice expressing an MHC class I-restricted OVA-specific TCR (OT-I). Immunization of OT-I mice resulted in activation of lymph node T cells and up-regulation of expression of B220, CD11a, and CD44 and caused a preferential loss of mucosal-type T cells from the periphery. Immunization induced dramatic changes in intestinal lymphocytes, including the appearance of a CD11a high population that resembled peripheral T cells and induced a primary cytolytic response. Activation of adoptively transferred OT-I cells induced migration of CD8 T cells into the lamina propria and intraepithelial lymphocyte compartments. The results suggest that Ag ..