Vdelta1 T lymphocytes producing IFN-gamma and IL-17 are expanded in HIV-1-infected patients and respond to Candida albicans

Blood. 2009 Jun 25;113(26):6611-8. doi: 10.1182/blood-2009-01-198028. Epub 2009 Apr 24.

Abstract

In early HIV-1 infection, Vdelta1 T lymphocytes are increased in peripheral blood and this is related to chemokine receptor expression, chemokine response, and recirculation. Herein we show that, at variance with healthy donors, in HIV-1-infected patients ex vivo-isolated Vdelta1 T cells display cytoplasmic interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma). Interestingly, these cells coexpress cytoplasmic interleukin-17 (IL-17), and bear the CD27 surface marker of the memory T-cell subset. Vdelta1 T cells, isolated from either patients or healthy donors, can proliferate and produce IFN-gamma and IL-17 in response to Candida albicans in vitro, whereas Vdelta2 T cells respond with proliferation and IFN-gamma/IL-17 production to mycobacterial or phosphate antigens. These IFN-gamma/IL-17 double-producer gammadelta T cells express the Th17 RORC and the Th1 TXB21 transcription factors and bear the CCR7 homing receptor and the CD161 molecule that are involved in gammadelta T-cell transendothelial migration. Moreover, Vdelta1 T cells responding to C albicans express the chemokine receptors CCR4 and CCR6. This specifically equipped circulating memory gammadelta T-cell population might play an important role in the control of HIV-1 spreading and in the defense against opportunistic infections, possibly contributing to compensate for the impairment of CD4(+) T cells.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Candida albicans / immunology*
  • Female
  • Gene Rearrangement, delta-Chain T-Cell Antigen Receptor
  • HIV Infections / immunology*
  • HIV-1*
  • Humans
  • Interferon-gamma / biosynthesis*
  • Interleukin-17 / biosynthesis*
  • Interleukin-17 / genetics
  • Lymphocyte Count
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • NK Cell Lectin-Like Receptor Subfamily B / analysis
  • Nuclear Receptor Subfamily 1, Group F, Member 3
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta / genetics
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta / immunology*
  • Receptors, CCR4 / analysis
  • Receptors, CCR6 / analysis
  • Receptors, CCR7 / analysis
  • Receptors, Retinoic Acid / analysis
  • Receptors, Thyroid Hormone / analysis
  • T-Lymphocyte Subsets / immunology*
  • T-Lymphocyte Subsets / metabolism
  • Transcription Factors / analysis
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • CCR4 protein, human
  • CCR6 protein, human
  • CCR7 protein, human
  • Interleukin-17
  • KLRB1 protein, human
  • NK Cell Lectin-Like Receptor Subfamily B
  • Nuclear Receptor Subfamily 1, Group F, Member 3
  • RORC protein, human
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta
  • Receptors, CCR4
  • Receptors, CCR6
  • Receptors, CCR7
  • Receptors, Retinoic Acid
  • Receptors, Thyroid Hormone
  • Transcription Factors
  • Interferon-gamma