Diurnal Changes in Intraepithelial Lymphocytes (IELs) in the Small Intestine of Mice

Abstract

Diurnal changes in small intestinal intraepithelial lymphocytes (IELs) were examined in 8- to 10-week-old BALB/cA male mice. The ratio of T cell subsets expressing CD8αα homodimer/CD8 αβ heterodimer was found to be higher in the dark period than that in the light period. Increased expression of Thy-1.2 on γδ T cells was also observed in the light period. No significant changes were found in other subsets. This is the first report to document diurnal changes in the small intestinal IELs in mice.