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Clinical and Diagnostic Laboratory Immunology, January 2005, p. 157-164, Vol. 12, No. 1
1071-412X/05/$08.00+0     doi:10.1128/CDLI.12.1.157-164.2005
Copyright © 2005, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.

Induction of Thymus-Derived T Cells by Escherichia coli Enterotoxin B Subunit in Peritoneal Cavities of Mice

Department of Microbiology, Fujita Health University School of Medicine, Tokyoake,¹ Department of Microbiology, Aichi Medical University, Nagakute, Aichi, Japan,³ Department of Microbiology, Tropical Disease Center, Airlangga University, Unair, JL, Mulyorejo, Surabaya, Indonesia²

Received 20 July 2004/ Returned for modification 10 September 2004/ Accepted 23 September 2004

We examined the activation of intraperitoneal T cells in BALB/c mice by the Escherichia coli enterotoxin B subunit, which induced a specific Th2 type of T-cell response to intraperitoneally coadministered bovine immunoglobulin G. The numbers of both and ß T cells increased significantly after intraperitoneal administration of the B subunit in a time-dependent manner; these numbers were not affected by the B-subunit G33D mutant, which is defective in GM₁ ganglioside-binding ability. Early after administration a small number of T cells produced either interleukin-4 (IL-4) or gamma interferon, while late after administration primarily IL-10-producing T cells were detected. T cells induced by the B subunit did not express a characteristic V gene over the time course of the study. The induction of T cells did not occur in athymic nu/nu mice but could be induced upon transplantation of fetal AKR thymus-like ß T cells. T cells in athymic nu/nu mice with a fetal thymic graft predominantly expressed the donor Thy-1.1 antigen but not the host Thy-1.2 antigen. The induction of these T cells, however, could not be restored by coadministration of the B subunit with peritoneal cells from normal mice. These results suggest that the B subunit activates intraperitoneal and ß T cells in a manner dependent upon its ability to bind to GM₁ ganglioside. T cells induced by the B subunit are Th2-type cells derived from the thymus. These T cells may be functionally involved in specific Th2 responses to the B subunit, which possibly acts as an adjuvant through the influence of ß T cells.