NKRP1A+ γδ and αβ T cells are preferentially induced in patients with Salmonella infection.

NKRP1A(+) γδ and αβ T cells play an important role at the early phase of Salmonella infection in mice. Meanwhile, association between NKRP1A(+) T cells and human Salmonella infection has not been reported. The objective of this study was to investigate the role of the peripheral NKRP1A(+) T cells in immune response to Salmonella infection. Expression of NKRP1A in peripheral γδ and αβ T cells and production of interferon (IFN) γ and interleukin (IL)-4 in NKRP1A(+) γδ and αβ T cells were analyzed in 28 patients with acute phase Salmonella infection, 23 patients with acute bacterial enterocolitis other than Salmonella infection (disease controls) and 44 normal controls by flow cytometry. The proportion of γδ T cells expressing NKRP1A and that of IFNγ-producing cells in NKRP1A(+) γδ cells were significantly higher in Salmonella group than those in other two groups. Compared with normal controls, the proportion of αβ T cells expressing NKRP1A and that of IL-4-producing cells in NKRP1A(+) αβ cells were significantly higher in Salmonella group. These data suggested that NKRP1A(+) T cells might play an important role in the early defense mechanism against Salmonella infection.