γδ T cells exhibit multifunctional and protective memory in intestinal tissues

Immunity. 2013 Jul 25;39(1):184-95. doi: 10.1016/j.immuni.2013.06.015.

Abstract

The study of T cell memory and the target of vaccine design have focused on memory subsumed by T cells bearing the αβ T cell receptor. Alternatively, γδ T cells are thought to provide rapid immunity, particularly at mucosal borders. Here, we have shown that a distinct subset of mucosal γδ T cells mounts an immune response to oral Listeria monocytogenes (Lm) infection and leads to the development of multifunctional memory T cells capable of simultaneously producing interferon-γ and interleukin-17A in the murine intestinal mucosa. Challenge infection with oral Lm, but not oral Salmonella or intravenous Lm, induced rapid expansion of memory γδ T cells, suggesting contextual specificity to the priming pathogen. Importantly, memory γδ T cells were able to provide enhanced protection against infection. These findings illustrate that γδ T cells play a role with hallmarks of adaptive immunity in the intestinal mucosa.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adaptive Immunity / immunology
  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Female
  • Flow Cytometry
  • Host-Pathogen Interactions / immunology
  • Hyaluronan Receptors / immunology
  • Hyaluronan Receptors / metabolism
  • Immunologic Memory / immunology*
  • Interferon-gamma / immunology
  • Interferon-gamma / metabolism
  • Interleukin-17 / immunology
  • Interleukin-17 / metabolism
  • Intestinal Mucosa / immunology
  • Intestinal Mucosa / metabolism
  • Intestines / immunology*
  • Listeria monocytogenes / immunology
  • Listeria monocytogenes / physiology
  • Listeriosis / immunology
  • Listeriosis / metabolism
  • Mice
  • Mice, Congenic
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta / genetics
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta / immunology*
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta / metabolism
  • T-Lymphocyte Subsets / immunology
  • T-Lymphocyte Subsets / metabolism
  • T-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • T-Lymphocytes / metabolism
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor Superfamily, Member 7 / immunology
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor Superfamily, Member 7 / metabolism

Substances

  • Hyaluronan Receptors
  • Interleukin-17
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta
  • Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor Superfamily, Member 7
  • Interferon-gamma