Discordance between T-cell receptor expression and effector function in mice infected with Histoplasma capsulatum.

V beta 10(+) and V beta 14(+) T cells were selectively increased 7 to 14 days following infection in the lungs of naive mice infected with Histoplasma capsulatum. Following secondary challenge of immune mice, V beta 1(+) and V beta 8.1(+) cells were sporadically increased. Elimination of V beta 10(+) and V beta 14(+) cells from naive mice did not alter the course of infection over a period of 21 days. Thus, overexpression of V beta families does not necessarily signify a key role in host defense.