Professional antigen-presentation function by human gammadelta T Cells

Science. 2005 Jul 8;309(5732):264-8. doi: 10.1126/science.1110267. Epub 2005 Jun 2.

Abstract

Human gammadelta T cells are considered to play a vital role in protective immunity through cytokine secretion and cytotoxic activity. We report that cells expressing the Vgamma2Vdelta2+-T cell receptor (Vdelta2+ T cells) also display principal characteristics of professional antigen-presenting cells such as dendritic cells. Thus, when activated, these cells efficiently processed and displayed antigens and provided co-stimulatory signals sufficient for strong induction of naïve alphabeta T cell proliferation and differentiation. We suggest that, upon microbial activation, Vdelta2+ T cells participate in the induction of adaptive immune responses and that these cells may be a useful tool in vaccine development and immunotherapy.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antigen Presentation*
  • Antigen-Presenting Cells / immunology*
  • Bacterial Toxins / immunology
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / cytology
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / cytology
  • CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • Cell Differentiation
  • Cell Polarity
  • Dendritic Cells / immunology
  • Enterotoxins / immunology
  • HLA-DR Antigens / immunology
  • HLA-DR Antigens / metabolism
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class II / immunology
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class II / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Immunity, Active
  • Lymphocyte Activation
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta / immunology
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta / immunology*
  • Superantigens / immunology
  • T-Lymphocyte Subsets / cytology
  • T-Lymphocyte Subsets / immunology*
  • T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / cytology
  • T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / immunology
  • Tetanus Toxoid / immunology
  • Tuberculin / immunology

Substances

  • Bacterial Toxins
  • Enterotoxins
  • HLA-DR Antigens
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class II
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta
  • Superantigens
  • Tetanus Toxoid
  • Tuberculin
  • enterotoxin F, Staphylococcal