title: γδ T cells augment rejection of skin grafts by enhancing cross-priming of CD8 T cells to skin-derived antigen.
abstract: Gamma delta T cells (γδ T cells) possess innate-like properties and are proposed to bridge the gap between innate and adaptive immunity. In this study, we explored the role of γδ T cells in cutaneous immunity using a skin transplantation model. Following engraftment of skin expressing cell-associated model antigen (Ag) (ovalbumin) in epithelial keratinocytes, skin-resident γδ T cells enhanced graft rejection. Although the effector function of CD8 T cells was intact in the absence of γδ T cells, cross-priming of CD8 T cell to graft-derived Ag was impaired in the absence of γδ T cells. The reduced graft rejection and graft priming of γδ T-cell-deficient mice was evident in both acutely inflamed and well-healed grafting models. Furthermore, expression of the CD40 activation marker on migrating dendritic cells was lower in TCRδ(-/-) mice compared with wild-type mice, regardless of the presence or absence of inflammation associated with grafting. These results indicate that γδ T cells enhance graft priming and consequently the likelihood of a successful immune outcome in the context of skin graft rejection, suggesting that γδ T cells may be an important component of immunity to epithelial cancers or infection.
authors.affiliation: The University of Queensland Diamantina Institute, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Woolloongabba, Queensland, Australia.
authors.forename: Azad
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rahimpour
authors.forename: Stephen R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Mattarollo
authors.forename: Michelle
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yong
authors.forename: Graham R
authors.initials: GR
authors.lastname: Leggatt
authors.forename: Raymond J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Steptoe
authors.forename: Ian H
authors.initials: IH
authors.lastname: Frazer
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000941:Antigens / Q000276:immunology; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology*; D002465:Cell Movement / Q000276:immunology; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D006084:Graft Rejection / Q000276:immunology*; D006085:Graft Survival / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D010047:Ovalbumin / Q000276:immunology; D016692:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D016038:Skin Transplantation / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D000941:Antigens; D016692:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta; D010047:Ovalbumin