Discordance between T-Cell Receptor Expression and Effector Function in Mice Infected with Histoplasma capsulatum

Vβ10(+) and Vβ14(+) T cells were selectively increased 7 to 14 days following infection in the lungs of naive mice infected with Histoplasma capsulatum. Following secondary challenge of immune mice, Vβ1(+) and Vβ8.1(+) cells were sporadically increased. Elimination of Vβ10(+) and Vβ14(+) cells from naive mice did not alter the course of infection over a period of 21 days. Thus, overexpression of Vβ families does not necessarily signify a key role in host defense.