Different roles of alpha beta and gamma delta T cells in immunity against an intracellular bacterial pathogen

Researches on mice with no alpha-beta or gamma-delta T cells and infected with listeria monocytogenes revealed that secondary infection resistance is primarily due to alpha-beta T cells. Abnormal lever lesions were observed in infected mice with deficiency in gamma-delta T cells. Either alpha-beta or gamma-delta T cells are adequate for initial protection against primary listeriosis. The formation of granulomatous lesions is determined by the alpha-beta T cell subset.