Type 1 responses of human Vγ9Vδ2 T cells to influenza A viruses

J Virol. 2011 Oct;85(19):10109-16. doi: 10.1128/JVI.05341-11. Epub 2011 Jul 13.

Abstract

γδ T cells are essential constituents of antimicrobial and antitumor defenses. We have recently reported that phosphoantigen isopentenyl pyrophosphate (IPP)-expanded human Vγ9Vδ2 T cells participated in anti-influenza virus immunity by efficiently killing both human and avian influenza virus-infected monocyte-derived macrophages (MDMs) in vitro. However, little is known about the noncytolytic responses and trafficking program of γδ T cells to influenza virus. In this study, we found that Vγ9Vδ2 T cells expressed both type 1 cytokines and chemokine receptors during influenza virus infection, and IPP-expanded cells had a higher capacity to produce gamma interferon (IFN-γ). Besides their potent cytolytic activity against pandemic H1N1 virus-infected cells, IPP-activated γδ T cells also had noncytolytic inhibitory effects on seasonal and pandemic H1N1 viruses via IFN-γ but had no such effects on avian H5N1 or H9N2 virus. Avian H5N1 and H9N2 viruses induced significantly higher CCL3, CCL4, and CCL5 production in Vγ9Vδ2 T cells than human seasonal H1N1 virus. CCR5 mediated the migration of Vγ9Vδ2 T cells toward influenza virus-infected cells. Our findings suggest a novel therapeutic strategy of using phosphoantigens to boost the antiviral activities of human Vγ9Vδ2 T cells against influenza virus infection.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cells, Cultured
  • Cytokines / biosynthesis
  • Cytotoxicity, Immunologic
  • Hemiterpenes / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Immunologic Factors / metabolism
  • Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype / immunology*
  • Influenza A Virus, H5N1 Subtype / immunology
  • Influenza A Virus, H9N2 Subtype / immunology
  • Organophosphorus Compounds / metabolism
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta / analysis*
  • T-Lymphocyte Subsets / chemistry
  • T-Lymphocyte Subsets / immunology*

Substances

  • Cytokines
  • Hemiterpenes
  • Immunologic Factors
  • Organophosphorus Compounds
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta
  • isopentenyl pyrophosphate