title: γδ T-APCs: a novel tool for immunotherapy?
abstract: The series of seminal articles in this book clearly illustrate the multi-functional nature of γδ T cells. Some of the functions correlate with the tissue tropism of distinct γδ T cell subsets whereas others appear to result from oligoclonal selection. Here, we discuss the antigen-presenting cell (APC) function of the major subset of circulating γδ T cells, Vγ9/Vδ2 T cells, present in human blood. During tissue culture, Vγ9/Vδ2 T cells uniformly respond to a class of non-peptide antigens, so-called prenyl pyrophosphates, derived from stressed host cells or from microbes. It is this feature that distinguishes human (and primate) Vγ9/Vδ2 T cells from αβ and γδ T cells of all other species and that forms the basis for detailed studies of human Vγ9/Vδ2 T cells. One of the consequences of Vγ9/Vδ2 T cell activation is the rapid acquisition of APC characteristics (γδ T-APCs) reminiscent of mature dendritic cells (DCs). In the following discussion, we will discriminate between the potential use of γδ T-APCs as a cellular vaccine in immunotherapy and their role in anti-microbial immunity. Exploiting the APC function in γδ T-APCs represents a true novelty in current immunotherapy research and may lead to effective, anti-tumor immunity in cancer patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Infection, Immunity & Biochemistry, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Heath Park, Cardiff, CF14 4XN, UK. moserb@cf.ac.uk
authors.forename: Bernhard
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Moser
authors.forename: Matthias
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Eberl
mesh_terms: D000938:Antigen-Presenting Cells / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D000941:Antigens / Q000276:immunology; D016207:Cytokines / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D011756:Diphosphates / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007167:Immunotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation / Q000276:immunology; D018448:Models, Immunological; D016692:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000941:Antigens; D016207:Cytokines; D011756:Diphosphates; D016692:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta