Production of interferon-γ by activated T-cell receptor-αβ CD8αβ intestinal intraepithelial lymphocytes is required and sufficient for disruption of the intestinal barrier integrity

Maintenance of intestinal epithelial barrier function is of vital importance in preventing uncontrolled influx of antigens and the potentially ensuing inflammatory disorders. Intestinal intraepithelial lymphocytes (IEL) are in intimate contact with epithelial cells and may critically regulate the epithelial barrier integrity. While a preserving impact has been ascribed to the T-cell receptor (TCR)-γδ subset of IEL, IEL have also been shown to attenuate the barrier function. The present study sought to clarify the effects of IEL by specifically investigating the influence of the TCR-αβ CD8αβ and TCR-αβ CD8αα subsets of IEL on the intestinal epithelial barrier integrity. To this end, an in vitro coculture system of the murine intestinal crypt-derived cell-line mICcl₂ and syngeneic ex vivo isolated IEL was employed. Epithelial integrity was assessed by analysis of transepithelial resistance (TER) and paracellular flux of fluorescein isothiocyanate-conjugated (FITC-) dextran. The TCR-αβ CD8αα IEL and resting TCR-αβ CD8αβ IEL did not affect TER of mICcl₂ or flux of FITC-dextran. In contrast, activated TCR-αβ CD8αβ IEL clearly disrupted the integrity of the mICcl₂ monolayer. No disrupting effect was seen with activated TCR-αβ CD8αβ IEL from interferon-γ knockout mice. These findings demonstrate that secretion of interferon-γ by activated TCR-αβ CD8αβ IEL is strictly required and also sufficient for disrupting the intestinal epithelial barrier function.