β2 Integrins differentially regulate γδ T cell subset thymic development and peripheral maintenance

IL-27 maintains cytotoxic Ly6C+ γδ T cells that arise from immature precursors

In mice, γδ-T lymphocytes that express the co-stimulatory molecule, CD27, are committed to the IFNγ-producing lineage during thymic development. In the periphery, these cells play a critical role in host defense and anti-tumor immunity. Unlike αβ-T cells that rely on MHC-presented peptides to drive their terminal differentiation, it is unclear whether MHC-unrestricted γδ-T cells undergo further functional maturation after exiting the thymus. Here, we provide evidence of phenotypic and functional diversity within peripheral IFNγ-producing γδ T cells. We found that CD27+ Ly6C- cells convert into CD27+Ly6C+ cells, and these CD27+Ly6C+ cells control cancer progression in mice, while the CD27+Ly6C- cells cannot. The gene signatures of these two subsets were highly analogous to human immature and mature γδ-T cells, indicative of conservation across species. We show that IL-27 supports the cytotoxic phenotype and function of mouse CD27+Ly6C+ cells and human Vδ2+ cells, while IL-27 is dispensable for mouse CD27+Ly6C- cell and human Vδ1+ cell functions. These data reveal increased complexity within IFNγ-producing γδ-T cells, comprising immature and terminally differentiated subsets, that offer new insights into unconventional T-cell biology.

Mechanisms of γδ T cell accumulation in visceral adipose tissue with aging

γδ T cells are resident in visceral adipose tissue (VAT) where they show an age-associated increase in numbers and contribute to local and systemic chronic inflammation. However, regulation of this population and mechanisms for the age-dependent accumulation are not known. In this study, we identified a progressive trend of γδ T cell accumulation in VAT over the lifespan in mice and explored physiological mechanisms contributing to accumulation. Using isochronic parabiotic pairs of wild-type (WT) and T cell receptor delta knockout (TCRδ KO) mice at young and old age, we confirmed that VAT γδ T cells are predominately a tissue-resident population which is sustained in aging. Migration of peripheral γδ T cells into VAT was observed at less than 10%, with a decreasing trend by aging, suggesting a minor contribution of recruitment to γδ T cell accumulation with aging. Since tissue-resident T cell numbers are tightly regulated by a balance between proliferation and programmed cell death, we further explored these processes. Using in vivo EdU incorporation and the proliferation marker Ki67, we found that the absolute number of proliferating γδ T cells in VAT is significantly higher in the aged compared to young and middle-aged mice, despite a decline in the proportion of proliferating to non-proliferating cells by age. Analysis of apoptosis via caspase 3/7 activation revealed that VAT γδ T cells show reduced apoptosis starting at middle age and continuing into old age. Further, induction of apoptosis using pharmacological inhibitors of Bcl2 family proteins revealed that VAT γδ T cells at middle age are uniquely protected from apoptosis via a mechanism independent of traditional anti-apoptotic Bcl2-family proteins. Collectively, these data indicate that protection from apoptosis at middle age increases survival of tissue-resident γδ T cells resulting in an increased number of proliferative cells from middle age onward, and leading to the age-associated accumulation of γδ T cells in VAT. These findings are important to better understand how adipose tissue dysfunction and related changes in the immune profile contribute to inflammaging among the elderly.

A monoclonal Trd chain supports the development of the complete set of functional γδ T cell lineages

The clonal selection theory describes key features of adaptive immune responses of B and T cells. For αβ T cells and B cells, antigen recognition and selection principles are known at a detailed molecular level. The precise role of the antigen receptor in γδ T cells remains less well understood. To better understand the role of the γδ T cell receptor (TCR), we generate an orthotopic TCRδ transgenic mouse model. We demonstrate a multi-layered functionality of γδ TCRs and diverse roles of CDR3δ-mediated selection during γδ T cell development. Whereas epithelial populations using Vγ5 or Vγ7 chains are almost unaffected in their biology in the presence of the transgenic TCRδ chain, pairing with Vγ1 positively selects γδ T cell subpopulations with distinct programs in several organs, thereby distorting the repertoire. In conclusion, our data support dictation of developmental tropism together with adaptive-like recognition principles in a single antigen receptor.

PD-1 and TIM-3 differentially regulate subsets of mouse IL-17A-producing γδ T cells

IL-17A-producing γδ T cells in mice consist primarily of Vγ6+ tissue-resident cells and Vγ4+ circulating cells. How these γδ T cell subsets are regulated during homeostasis and cancer remains poorly understood. Using single-cell RNA sequencing and flow cytommetry, we show that lung Vγ4+ and Vγ6+ cells from tumor-free and tumor-bearing mice express contrasting cell surface molecules as well as distinct co-inhibitory molecules, which function to suppress their expansion. Vγ6+ cells express constitutively high levels of PD-1, whereas Vγ4+ cells upregulate TIM-3 in response to tumor-derived IL-1β and IL-23. Inhibition of either PD-1 or TIM-3 in mammary tumor-bearing mice increased Vγ6+ and Vγ4+ cell numbers, respectively. We found that genetic deletion of γδ T cells elicits responsiveness to anti-PD-1 and anti-TIM-3 immunotherapy in a mammary tumor model that is refractory to T cell checkpoint inhibitors, indicating that IL-17A-producing γδ T cells instigate resistance to immunotherapy. Together, these data demonstrate how lung IL-17A-producing γδ T cell subsets are differentially controlled by PD-1 and TIM-3 in steady-state and cancer.

Myo1f has an essential role in γδT intraepithelial lymphocyte adhesion and migration

γδT intraepithelial lymphocyte represents up to 60% of the small intestine intraepithelial compartment. They are highly migrating cells and constantly interact with the epithelial cell layer and lamina propria cells. This migratory phenotype is related to the homeostasis of the small intestine, the control of bacterial and parasitic infections, and the epithelial shedding induced by LPS. Here, we demonstrate that Myo1f participates in the adhesion and migration of intraepithelial lymphocytes. Using long-tailed class I myosins KO mice, we identified the requirement of Myo1f for their migration to the small intestine intraepithelial compartment. The absence of Myo1f affects intraepithelial lymphocytes' homing due to reduced CCR9 and α4β7 surface expression. In vitro, we confirm that adhesion to integrin ligands and CCL25-dependent and independent migration of intraepithelial lymphocytes are Myo1f-dependent. Mechanistically, Myo1f deficiency prevents correct chemokine receptor and integrin polarization, leading to reduced tyrosine phosphorylation which could impact in signal transduction. Overall, we demonstrate that Myo1f has an essential role in the adhesion and migration in γδT intraepithelial lymphocytes.

CD18 controls the development and activation of monocyte-to-macrophage axis during chronic schistosomiasis

Schistosomiasis is a neglected tropical disease caused by worms of the genus Schistosoma spp. The progression of disease results in intense tissue fibrosis and high mortality rate. After egg deposition by adult worms, the inflammatory response is characterized by the robust activation of type 2 immunity. Monocytes and macrophages play critical roles during schistosomiasis. Inflammatory Ly6C^high monocytes are recruited from the blood to the inflammatory foci and differentiate into alternatively activated macrophages (AAMs), which promote tissue repair. The common chain of β₂-integrins (CD18) regulates monocytopoiesis and mediates resistance to experimental schistosomiasis. There is still limited knowledge about mechanisms controlled by CD18 that impact monocyte development and effector cells such as macrophages during schistosomiasis. Here, we show that CD18^low mice chronically infected with S. mansoni display monocyte progenitors with reduced proliferative capacity, resulting in the accumulation of the progenitor cell denominated proliferating-monocyte (pMo). Consequently, inflammatory Ly6C^high and patrolling Ly6C^low monocytes are reduced in the bone marrow and blood. Mechanistically, low CD18 expression decreases Irf8 gene expression in pMo progenitor cells, whose encoded transcription factor regulates CSFR1 (CD115) expression on the cell surface. Furthermore, low CD18 expression affects the accumulation of inflammatory Ly6C^high CD11b⁺ monocytes in the liver while the adoptive transference of these cells to infected-CD18^low mice reduced the inflammatory infiltrate and fibrosis in the liver. Importantly, expression of Il4, Chil3l3 and Arg1 was downregulated, CD206⁺PD-L2⁺ AAMs were reduced and there were lower levels of IL-10 in the liver of CD18^low mice chronically infected with S. mansoni. Overall, these findings suggest that CD18 controls the IRF8-CD115 axis on pMo progenitor cells, affecting their proliferation and maturation of monocytes. At the same time, CD18 is crucial for the appropriate polarization and function of AAMs and tissue repair during chronic schistosomiasis.

Innate tumor killers in colorectal cancer

Standard treatment of colorectal cancer (CRC) improves the prognosis of CRC patients, but it is still intractable to control the progression of metastatic CRC. Immune microenvironment and immunotherapies of CRC have received extensive attention in recent years, but present immunotherapies of CRC have mainly focused on T cells and therapeutic response is only observed in a small proportion of patients. Innate immune cells are the first-line of defense in the development of malignancies. Natural killer (NK) cells, NKT cells and γδT cells are three types of innate cells of lymphoid origin and show cytotoxicity against various tumor cells including CRC. Besides, in the development of CRC, they can also be inhibited or express regulatory type, promoting tumor progression. Researches about anti-tumorigenic and pro-tumorigenic mechanisms of these cells are ongoing and regulation of these cells is also being unearthed. Meanwhile, immunotherapies using these cells more or less have shown efficacy in animal models and some of them are under exploration in clinical trials. This review provides an overview of intrinsic properties of NK cell, NKT cell and γδT cell, and summarizes current related promising treatment strategies.