A second combinatorial immune receptor in monocytes/macrophages is based on the TCR gamma delta

Recent evidence indicates that monocytes and macrophages express T cell receptor (TCR)alpha beta-like combinatorial immune receptors. Here, we demonstrate the presence of a second recombinatorial immunoreceptor, which is structurally based on the TCR gamma- and delta-chains, in human and murine monocytes and differentially activated macrophages (referred to here as TCRLm gamma delta). In vitro, infection of macrophages with mycobacteria and gram positive or gram negative bacteria induced expression of donor-specific and differential TCRLm V delta repertoires indicating that the novel immunoreceptor represents a dynamic flexible host defense system that responds to bacterial challenge. In vivo, we find that TCRLm gamma delta bearing macrophages, which express highly restricted repertoires of the antigen-binding V delta chain, accumulate in the cerebrospinal fluid in acute bacterial meningitis and in advanced lesions of atherosclerosis. These results identify an as yet unrecognized monocyte/macrophage subpopulation that bears combinatorial TCRLm gamma delta immune receptors, and is associated with both acute and chronic inflammatory diseases. Moreover, they indicate that the monocytic lineage uses the same bipartite system of TCR alpha beta/TCR gamma delta-based combinatorial immune receptors that is present in T cells. Our findings suggest specific roles of monocytes/macrophages in various inflammatory conditions and lend further evidence that flexible immune recognition in higher vertebrates operates on a broader cellular basis than previously thought. (c) 2013 Published by Elsevier GmbH.