The Blood of Healthy Individuals Exhibits CD8 T Cells with a Highly Altered TCR Vb Repertoire but with an Unmodified Phenotype
2011

CD8 T Cells in Healthy Individuals Show Altered TCR Vb Repertoire

Sample size: 8 publication 10 minutes Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Degauque Nicolas, Boeffard Françoise, Foucher Yohann, Ballet Caroline, Brouard Sophie, Soulillou Jean-Paul

Primary Institution: INSERM, UMR643, Nantes, France

Hypothesis

Do healthy adults exhibit alterations in the TCR Vβ repertoire of CD8 T cells similar to those observed in elderly individuals?

Conclusion

Healthy adults commonly exhibit alterations in the TCR Vβ repertoire of CD8 T cells, which are more complex than previously described in older individuals.

Supporting Evidence

  • CD8 T cell clonal expansions have been observed in healthy individuals.
  • Alterations in TCR Vβ repertoire are not restricted to the elderly.
  • CD8+ T cells with altered TCR Vβ repertoire maintain normal effector functions.

Takeaway

This study found that even healthy adults have changes in their immune cells that are usually seen in older people, but these changes don't mean they are sick.

Methodology

The study analyzed the TCR Vβ repertoire of CD8 T cells in healthy adults using spectratyping and qRT-PCR.

Limitations

The study was limited to a small sample size of healthy adults and may not be generalizable to other populations.

Participant Demographics

Healthy adults aged 25-52 years, predominantly EBV-positive and CMV-negative.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1371/journal.pone.0021240

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