Phenotypic and functional alterations of Vgamma2Vdelta2 T cell subsets in patients with active nasopharyngeal carcinoma.
BACKGROUND
Human Vgamma2Vdelta2 T cells play important role in immunity to infection and cancer by monitoring self and foreign isoprenoid metabolites with their gammadelta T cell antigen receptors. Like CD4 and CD8 alphabeta T cells, adult peripheral Vgamma2Vdelta2 T cells represent a pool of heterogeneous cells with distinct functional capabilities.


OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to characterize the phenotypes and functions of various Vgamma2Vdelta2 T cell subsets in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). We sought to develop a better understanding of the role of these cells during the course of disease and to facilitate the development of immunotherapeutic strategies against NPC.


RESULTS
Although similar total percentages of peripheral blood Vgamma2Vdelta2 T cells were found in both NPC patients and normal donors, Vgamma2Vdelta2 T cells from NPC patients showed decreased cytotoxicity against tumor cells whereas Vgamma2Vdelta2 T cells from normal donors showed potent cytotoxicity. To investigate further, we compared the phenotypic characteristics of Vgamma2Vdelta2 T cells from 96 patients with NPC and 54 healthy controls. The fraction of late effector memory Vgamma2Vdelta2 T cells (T(EM RA)) was significantly increased in NPC patients with corresponding decreases in the fraction of early memory Vgamma2Vdelta2 T cells (T(CM)) compared with those in healthy controls. Moreover, T(EM RA) and T(CM) Vgamma2Vdelta2 cells from NPC patients produced significantly less IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha, potentially contributing to their impaired cytotoxicity. Radiotherapy or concurrent chemo-radiotherapy further increased the T(EM RA) Vgamma2Vdelta2 T cell population but did not correct the impaired production of IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha observed for T(EM RA) Vgamma2Vdelta2 T cells.


CONCLUSIONS
We have identified distinct alterations in the Vgamma2Vdelta2 T cell subsets of patients with NPC. Moreover, the overall cellular effector function of gammadelta T cells is compromised in these patients. Our data suggest that the contribution of Vgamma2Vdelta2 T cells to control NPC may depend on the activation state and differentiation of these cells.
Puan
Kia Joo
KJ
Bek Chai Heah Laboratory of Cancer Genomics, Division of Cellular and Molecular Research, Humphrey Oei Institute of Cancer Research, National Cancer Centre Singapore, 11 Hospital Drive, Singapore 169610, Singapore. ncmpkj@nccs.com.sg
Low
John Seng Hooi
JS
Tan
Terence Wee Kiat
TW
Wee
Joseph Tien Seng
JT
Tan
Eng Huat
EH
Fong
Kam Weng
KW
Chua
Eu Tiong
ET
Jin
Chenggang
C
Giner
José-Luis
JL
Morita
Craig T
CT
Goh
Christopher Hood Keng
CH
Hui
Kam M
KM
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000276:immunology* / Q000532:radiotherapy; D003602:Cytotoxicity, Immunologic; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009303:Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000532:radiotherapy; D054353:Perforin / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D016692:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta / Q000276:immunology*; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000276:immunology*; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000276:immunology
D016692:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D054353:Perforin; D007371:Interferon-gamma