期刊名称：Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
印刷版ISSN：0027-8424
电子版ISSN：1091-6490
出版年度：2003
卷号：100
期号：10
页码：6009-6014
DOI：10.1073/pnas.1035603100
语种：English
出版社：The National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
摘要：Human {gamma}{delta} T cells mediate innate immunity to microbes via T cell receptor-dependent recognition of unprocessed antigens with conserved molecular patterns. These nonpeptide alkylamine antigens are shared by tumor cells, bacteria, parasites, and fungi but also by edible plant products such as tea, apples, mushrooms, and wine. Here we show that priming of {gamma}{delta} T cells with alkylamine antigens in vitro results in a memory response to these antigens. Such priming results also in a nonmemory response to whole bacteria and to lipopolysaccharide, characterized by IL-12-dependent secretion of IFN-{gamma} by {gamma}{delta} T cells and by {gamma}{delta} T cell proliferation. Drinking tea, which contains L-theanine, a precursor of the nonpeptide antigen ethylamine, primed peripheral blood {gamma}{delta} T cells to mediate a memory response on reexposure to ethylamine and to secrete IFN-{gamma} in response to bacteria. This unique combination of innate immune response and immunologic memory shows that {gamma}{delta} T cells can function as a bridge between innate and acquired immunity. In addition, these data provide an explanation for the health benefits of tea.
