Mouse T lymphocytes that express a gamma delta T-cell antigen receptor contribute to resistance to Salmonella infection in vivo.

Mice depleted of lymphocytes expressing the alpha beta or the gamma delta T-cell receptor for antigen (TCR) by antibody treatment were infected orally with Salmonella enteritidis. In both groups of treated mice, the 50% lethal dose decreased, suggesting that both the alpha beta TCR+ and the gamma delta TCR+ subsets contribute to resistance to oral infection. These data provide further evidence for the contribution of gamma delta T cells in the response to bacterial infections.