Increased Host Resistance against Pneumocystis carinii Pneumonia in γδ T-Cell-Deficient Mice: Protective Role of Gamma Interferon and CD8(+) T Cells

Although a clear relationship between αβ T-cell receptor-positive (αβ-TCR(+)) CD4(+) T cells and susceptibility to Pneumocystis carinii infection exists, the role of other T-cell subsets is less clearly defined. Previous studies have shown that γδ-TCR(+) T cells infiltrate into the lung during P. carinii pneumonia. Therefore, the present study examined the role of γδ-TCR(+) T cells in host defense against P. carinii pneumonia. C57BL/6 (control) and B6.129P2-Tcrd(tm1Mom) (γδ-TCR(+) T-cell-deficient) mice were inoculated intratracheally with P. carinii. At specific time points, mice were sacrificed and analyzed for P. carinii burden, T-cell subsets, and cytokine levels in lung tissue. Analysis of P. carinii burden showed a more rapid and complete resolution of infection in γδ-TCR(+) T-cell-deficient mice than in C57BL/6 controls. This augmented resolution was associated with elevated gamma interferon (IFN-γ) levels in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid predominantly produced by CD8(+) T cells, as well as an increased recruitment of CD8(+) T cells in general. In separate experiments, neutralization of IFN-γ or depletion of CD8(+) T cells early during infection abolished the augmented resolution previously observed in γδ-TCR(+) T-cell-deficient mice. These results show that the presence of γδ-TCR(+) T cells modulates host susceptibility to P. carinii pneumonia through interactions with pulmonary CD8(+) T cells and tissue production of IFN-γ.