title: Human Vgamma9/Vdelta2 effector memory T cells express the killer cell lectin-like receptor G1 (KLRG1).
abstract: The killer cell lectin-like receptor G1 (KLRG1) is expressed in natural killer (NK) cells and effector memory alphabeta T cells. Gammadelta T cells represent an unconventional lymphocyte population that shares characteristics of NK cells and T cells and links innate and adaptive immunity. Vgamma9/Vdelta2 T cells comprise the majority of peripheral human gammadelta T cells and respond to the microbial metabolite (E)-4-hydroxy-3-methyl-but-2-enyl pyrophosphate (HMB-PP). Here, we demonstrate that KLRG1 is expressed in a significant proportion of Vgamma9/Vdelta2 T cells in cord blood and in the majority of peripheral Vgamma9/Vdelta2 T cells from adult donors. KLRG1+ Vgamma9/Vdelta2 T cells displayed an effector memory phenotype, as KLRG1 was expressed mainly in Vgamma9/Vdelta2 T cells lacking CD27, CD45RA, CD62L, and CC chemokine receptor 7 (CCR7). Unlike alphabeta T cells, where possession of KLRG1 identified effector memory cells with impaired proliferative capacity, KLRG1+ Vgamma9/Vdelta2 T cells were able to proliferate vigorously upon stimulation with HMB-PP in the presence of interleukin-2. Moreover, KLRG1 ligation on Vgamma9/Vdelta2 T cells by antibodies did not inhibit HMB-PP-induced proliferation and cytokine production nor cytolysis of Daudi cells.
authors.affiliation: Biochemisches Institut, Infektiologie, Justus-Liebig-Universität Giessen, Friedrichstrasse 24, 35392 Giessen, Germany. matthias.eberl@biochemie.med.uni-giessen.de
authors.forename: Matthias
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Eberl
authors.forename: Rosel
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Engel
authors.forename: Silke
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Aberle
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Fisch
authors.forename: Hassan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Jomaa
authors.forename: Hanspeter
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Pircher
mesh_terms: D002051:Burkitt Lymphoma / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D011756:Diphosphates / Q000378:metabolism; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007156:Immunologic Memory; D007376:Interleukin-2 / Q000378:metabolism; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D037181:Lectins, C-Type; D016692:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta / Q000276:immunology*; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D015534:Trans-Activators / Q000378:metabolism*; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured
chemical_list: C443995:4-hydroxy-3-methylbut-2-enyl pyrophosphate; D011756:Diphosphates; D007376:Interleukin-2; C113413:KLRG1 protein, human; D037181:Lectins, C-Type; D016692:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta; D011971:Receptors, Immunologic; D015534:Trans-Activators