Flow Cytometric Analysis of Peripheral T Cell Subsets in the Sialoadenectomized and Salivariadenectomized Male Mice (Mus musculus Linn.)

The extraordinary sequential process of T cell development and maturation is hallmark of well-functioning of thymus gland. An earlier study clarifies the relationship between salivary glands and other organs including thymus. In order to define the precise role of salivary gland secreted growth factors on the development, differentiation and maturation of thymocytes, especially CD4 and CD8, we sialoadenectomized (removal of submandibular gland) and salivariadenectomized (removal of submandibular and sublingual glands) the male albino mice. The mice were operated at the age of 20 days and maintained under normal conditions in the animal house along with control, up to the age of ten weeks. Subsequently, blood samples were collected and peripheral T cell subsets was analysed using FACSCalibur flow cytometer with BD Tritest CD4FITC/ CD8PE/CD3 PerCP reagent. It was observed that in the absence of salivary gland-secreted growth factors, especially EGF, the mature naïve T cells output gets disturbed, and there was significant reduction in CD4 absolute and % count and CD4:CD8 ratio, signifying the importance of salivary gland-secreted growth factors in maturation of immune cells in the thymus. It is suggested that the importance of interplay of hormones and neuropeptides on one hand and salivary secretory regulatory peptides on the other, on the T cell differentiation and maturation in the thymus is investigated.