Lymphocytes bearing the T cell receptor γδ in human breast milk

Abstract

Lymphocytes bearing the T cell receptor γδ (TCR-γδ) were searched for in human early milk lymphocyte suspensions by two colour cytofluorimetric analysis. It was found that the proportion of TCR-γδ+ cells was twofold greater in colostrum than in either autologous or heterologous blood samples. Additional studies are needed to determine whether this particular subset of lymphocytes is involved in the lactation transmission of cellular immunity.