Human Vgamma9Vdelta2 T cells: promising new leads for immunotherapy of infections and tumors.
Vgamma9Vdelta2 T cells, a major human peripheral gammadelta T-cell subset, react in vitro against a wide array of microbial agents and tumor cells. This broad reactivity pattern is conferred by non-peptidic phosphorylated isoprenoid pathway metabolites, referred to as phosphoantigens, which are able to specifically activate this gammadelta T-cell subset in a T-cell receptor dependent fashion. Recent studies provide new insights into the mode of action of phosphoantigens on Vgamma9Vdelta2 T cells and might explain how their recognition can allow detection of infected or altered self by the immune system. The broad antimicrobial and antitumoral reactivity of Vgamma9Vdelta2 T cells, their ability to produce inflammatory cytokines involved in protective immunity against intracellular pathogens and tumors, and their strong cytolytic and bactericidal activities suggest a direct involvement in immune control of cancers and infections. These observations have recently aided development of novel immunotherapeutic approaches aimed at Vgamma9Vdelta2 T-cell activation, which have already yielded encouraging results.
Bonneville
Marc
M
Institut National de la Sante et de la Recherche Medicale, Unite 601, Institut de Biologie, 9 quai Moncousu, 44093 Nantes cedex 01, France. bonnevil@nantes.inserm.fr
Scotet
Emmanuel
E
D006801:Humans; D007167:Immunotherapy / Q000639:trends; D007239:Infections / Q000628:therapy*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*; D016692:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta / Q000276:immunology*; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000276:immunology*
D016692:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta