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Koga S, Takazono T, Namie H, Okuno D, Ito Y, Nakada N, Hirayama T, Takeda K, Ide S, Iwanaga N, Tashiro M, Sakamoto N, Watanabe A, Izumikawa K, Yanagihara K, Tanaka Y, Mukae H. Human Vγ9Vδ2 T cells exhibit antifungal activity against Aspergillus fumigatus and other filamentous fungi. Microbiol Spectr 2024; 12:e0361423. [PMID: 38426765 PMCID: PMC10986472 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.03614-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2023] [Accepted: 02/11/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Invasive aspergillosis (IA) and mucormycosis are life-threatening diseases, especially among immunocompromised patients. Drug-resistant Aspergillus fumigatus strains have been isolated worldwide, which can pose a serious clinical problem. As IA mainly occurs in patients with compromised immune systems, the ideal therapeutic approach should aim to bolster the immune system. In this study, we focused on Vγ9Vδ2 T cells that exhibit immune effector functions and examined the possibility of harnessing this unconventional T cell subset as a novel therapeutic modality for IA. A potent antifungal effect was observed when A. fumigatus (Af293) hyphae were challenged by Vγ9Vδ2 T cells derived from peripheral blood. In addition, Vγ9Vδ2 T cells exhibited antifungal activity against hyphae of all Aspergillus spp., Cunninghamella bertholletiae, and Rhizopus microsporus but not against their conidia. Furthermore, Vγ9Vδ2 T cells also exhibited antifungal activity against azole-resistant A. fumigatus, indicating that Vγ9Vδ2 T cells could be used for treating drug-resistant A. fumigatus. The antifungal activity of Vγ9Vδ2 T cells depended on cell-to-cell contact with A. fumigatus hyphae, and degranulation characterized by CD107a mobilization seems essential for this activity against A. fumigatus. Vγ9Vδ2 T cells could be developed as a novel modality for treating IA or mucormycosis. IMPORTANCE Invasive aspergillosis (IA) and mucormycosis are often resistant to treatment with conventional antifungal agents and have a high mortality rate. Additionally, effective antifungal treatment is hindered by drug toxicity, given that both fungal and human cells are eukaryotic, and antifungal agents are also likely to act on human cells, resulting in adverse effects. Therefore, the development of novel therapeutic agents specifically targeting fungi is challenging. This study demonstrated the antifungal activity of Vγ9Vδ2 T cells against various Aspergillus spp. and several Mucorales in vitro and discussed the mechanism underlying their antifungal activity. We indicate that adoptive immunotherapy using Vγ9Vδ2 T cells may offer a new therapeutic approach to IA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Satoru Koga
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Nagasaki University Hospital, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Takahiro Takazono
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Nagasaki University Hospital, Nagasaki, Japan
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Hodaka Namie
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Daisuke Okuno
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Nagasaki University Hospital, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Yuya Ito
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Nagasaki University Hospital, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Nana Nakada
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Nagasaki University Hospital, Nagasaki, Japan
- Health Center, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Tatsuro Hirayama
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Nagasaki University Hospital, Nagasaki, Japan
- Department of Pharmacotherapeutics, Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Kazuaki Takeda
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Nagasaki University Hospital, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Shotaro Ide
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Nagasaki University Hospital, Nagasaki, Japan
- Infectious Diseases Experts Training Center, Nagasaki University Hospital, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Naoki Iwanaga
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Nagasaki University Hospital, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Masato Tashiro
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Noriho Sakamoto
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Nagasaki University Hospital, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Akira Watanabe
- Medical Mycology Research Center, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Koichi Izumikawa
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Katsunori Yanagihara
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Nagasaki University Hospital, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Yoshimasa Tanaka
- Center for Medical Innovation, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Mukae
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Nagasaki University Hospital, Nagasaki, Japan
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Morrison AL, Sarfas C, Sibley L, Williams J, Mabbutt A, Dennis MJ, Lawrence S, White AD, Bodman-Smith M, Sharpe SA. IV BCG Vaccination and Aerosol BCG Revaccination Induce Mycobacteria-Responsive γδ T Cells Associated with Protective Efficacy against M. tb Challenge. Vaccines (Basel) 2023; 11:1604. [PMID: 37897006 PMCID: PMC10611416 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines11101604] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2023] [Revised: 10/05/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Intravenously (IV) delivered BCG provides superior tuberculosis (TB) protection compared with the intradermal (ID) route in non-human primates (NHPs). We examined how γδ T cell responses changed in vivo after IV BCG vaccination of NHPs, and whether these correlated with protection against aerosol M. tuberculosis challenge. In the circulation, Vδ2 T cell populations expanded after IV BCG vaccination, from a median of 1.5% (range: 0.8-2.3) of the CD3+ population at baseline, to 5.3% (range: 1.4-29.5) 4 weeks after M. tb, and were associated with TB protection. This protection was related to effector and central memory profiles; homing markers; and production of IFN-γ, TNF-α and granulysin. In comparison, Vδ2 cells did not expand after ID BCG, but underwent phenotypic and functional changes. When Vδ2 responses in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) samples were compared between routes, IV BCG vaccination resulted in highly functional mucosal Vδ2 cells, whereas ID BCG did not. We sought to explore whether an aerosol BCG boost following ID BCG vaccination could induce a γδ profile comparable to that induced with IV BCG. We found evidence that the aerosol BCG boost induced significant changes in the Vδ2 phenotype and function in cells isolated from the BAL. These results indicate that Vδ2 population frequency, activation and function are characteristic features of responses induced with IV BCG, and the translation of responses from the circulation to the site of infection could be a limiting factor in the response induced following ID BCG. An aerosol boost was able to localise activated Vδ2 populations at the mucosal surfaces of the lung. This vaccine strategy warrants further investigation to boost the waning human ID BCG response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra L. Morrison
- Vaccine Development and Evaluation Centre, UK Health Security Agency, Porton Down, Salisbury SP4 0JG, UK
| | - Charlotte Sarfas
- Vaccine Development and Evaluation Centre, UK Health Security Agency, Porton Down, Salisbury SP4 0JG, UK
| | - Laura Sibley
- Vaccine Development and Evaluation Centre, UK Health Security Agency, Porton Down, Salisbury SP4 0JG, UK
| | - Jessica Williams
- Vaccine Development and Evaluation Centre, UK Health Security Agency, Porton Down, Salisbury SP4 0JG, UK
| | - Adam Mabbutt
- Vaccine Development and Evaluation Centre, UK Health Security Agency, Porton Down, Salisbury SP4 0JG, UK
| | - Mike J. Dennis
- Vaccine Development and Evaluation Centre, UK Health Security Agency, Porton Down, Salisbury SP4 0JG, UK
| | - Steve Lawrence
- Vaccine Development and Evaluation Centre, UK Health Security Agency, Porton Down, Salisbury SP4 0JG, UK
| | - Andrew D. White
- Vaccine Development and Evaluation Centre, UK Health Security Agency, Porton Down, Salisbury SP4 0JG, UK
| | - Mark Bodman-Smith
- Infection and Immunity Research Institute, St. George’s University of London, London SW17 0BD, UK
| | - Sally A. Sharpe
- Vaccine Development and Evaluation Centre, UK Health Security Agency, Porton Down, Salisbury SP4 0JG, UK
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3
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Zhang T, Wang J, Zhao A, Xia L, Jin H, Xia S, Shi T. The way of interaction between Vγ9Vδ2 T cells and tumor cells. Cytokine 2023; 162:156108. [PMID: 36527892 DOI: 10.1016/j.cyto.2022.156108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2022] [Accepted: 12/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Immunotherapy has been a promising, emerging treatment for various cancers. Gamma delta (γδ) T cells own a T cell receptor composed of γ- and δ- chain and act as crucial players in the anti-tumor immune effect. Currently, Vγ9Vδ2 T cells, the predominate γδ T cell subset in human peripheral blood, has been shown to exert multiple biological functions. In addition, a growing body of evidence notes that Vγ9Vδ2 T cells interact with tumor cells in many ways, such as TCR-mediated nonpeptidic-phosphorylated phosphoantigens (pAgs) recognization, NKG2D/NKG2D ligand (NKG2DL) pathway, Fas-FasL axis and antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) as well as exosome. More importantly, clinical studies with Vγ9Vδ2 T cells in cancers have propelled several clinical applications to investigate their safety and efficacy. Herein, this review summarized the underlying ways and mechanisms of interplay cancer cells and Vγ9Vδ2 T cells, which may help us to generate new strategies for tumor immunotherapy in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ting Zhang
- Jiangsu Institute of Clinical Immunology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, 178 East Ganjiang Road, Suzhou, China; Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, 188 Shizi Road, Suzhou, China
| | - Jiayu Wang
- Jiangsu Institute of Clinical Immunology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, 178 East Ganjiang Road, Suzhou, China
| | - Anjing Zhao
- Jiangsu Institute of Clinical Immunology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, 178 East Ganjiang Road, Suzhou, China
| | - Lu Xia
- Jiangsu Institute of Clinical Immunology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, 178 East Ganjiang Road, Suzhou, China
| | - Haiyan Jin
- Jiangsu Institute of Clinical Immunology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, 178 East Ganjiang Road, Suzhou, China
| | - Suhua Xia
- Department of Oncology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, 188 Shizi Road, Suzhou, China.
| | - Tongguo Shi
- Jiangsu Institute of Clinical Immunology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, 178 East Ganjiang Road, Suzhou, China.
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Ridgley LA, Caron J, Dalgleish A, Bodman-Smith M. Releasing the restraints of Vγ9Vδ2 T-cells in cancer immunotherapy. Front Immunol 2023; 13:1065495. [PMID: 36713444 PMCID: PMC9880221 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.1065495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2022] [Accepted: 12/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Objectives Vγ9Vδ2 T-cells are a subset of T-cells with a crucial role in immunosurveillance which can be activated and expanded by multiple means to stimulate effector responses. Little is known about the expression of checkpoint molecules on this cell population and whether the ligation of these molecules can regulate their activity. The aim of this study was to assess the expression of both activatory and inhibitory receptors on Vγ9Vδ2 T-cells to assess potential avenues of regulation to target with immunotherapy. Methods Expression of various activatory and inhibitory receptors was assessed on Vγ9Vδ2 T-cells by flow cytometry following activation and expansion using zoledronic acid (ZA) and Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG). Expression of these markers and production of effector molecules was also examined following co-culture with various tumour cell targets. The effect of immune checkpoint blockade on Vγ9Vδ2 T-cells was also explored. Results Vγ9Vδ2 T-cells expressed high levels of activatory markers both at baseline and following stimulation. Vγ9Vδ2 T-cells expressed variable levels of inhibitory checkpoint receptors with many being upregulated following stimulation. Expression of these markers is further modulated upon co-culture with tumour cells with changes reflecting activation and effector functions. Despite their high expression of inhibitory receptors when cultured with tumour cells expressing cognate ligands there was no effect on Vδ2+ T-cell cytotoxic capacity or cytokine production with immune checkpoint blockade. Conclusions Our work suggests the expression of checkpoint receptors present on Vγ9Vδ2 T-cells which may provide a mechanism with the potential to be utilised by tumour cells to subvert Vγ9Vδ2 T-cell cytotoxicity. This work suggests important candidates for blockade by ICI therapy in order to increase the successful use of Vγ9Vδ2 T-cells in immunotherapy.
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Fenn J, Ridgley LA, White A, Sarfas C, Dennis M, Dalgleish A, Reljic R, Sharpe S, Bodman-Smith M. Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) induces superior anti-tumour responses by Vδ2+ T cells compared with the aminobisphosphonate drug zoledronic acid. Clin Exp Immunol 2022; 208:301-315. [PMID: 35404420 PMCID: PMC9226146 DOI: 10.1093/cei/uxac032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2021] [Revised: 02/07/2022] [Accepted: 04/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Vδ2+ T cells can recognize malignantly transformed cells as well as those infected with mycobacteria. This cross-reactivity supports the idea of using mycobacteria to manipulate Vδ2+ T cells in cancer immunotherapy. To date, therapeutic interventions using Vδ2+ T cells in cancer have involved expanding these cells in or ex vivo using zoledronic acid (ZA). Here, we show that the mycobacterium Bacillus Calmette–Guérin (BCG) also causes Vδ2+ T-cell expansion in vitro and that resulting Vδ2+ cell populations are cytotoxic toward tumour cell lines. We show that both ZA and BCG-expanded Vδ2+ cells effectively killed both Daudi and THP-1 cells. THP-1 cell killing by both ZA and BCG-expanded Vδ2+ cells was enhanced by treatment of targets cells with ZA. Although no difference in cytotoxic activity between ZA- and BCG-expanded Vδ2+ cells was observed, BCG-expanded cells degranulated more and produced a more diverse range of cytokines upon tumour cell recognition compared to ZA-expanded cells. ZA-expanded Vδ2+ cells were shown to upregulate exhaustion marker CD57 to a greater extent than BCG-expanded Vδ2+ cells. Furthermore, ZA expansion was associated with upregulation of inhibitory markers PD-1 and TIM3 in a dose-dependent manner whereas PD-1 expression was not increased following expansion using BCG. Intradermal BCG vaccination of rhesus macaques caused in vivo expansion of Vδ2+ cells. In combination with the aforementioned in vitro data, this finding suggests that BCG treatment could induce expansion of Vδ2+ T cells with enhanced anti-tumour potential compared to ZA treatment and that either ZA or BCG could be used intratumourally as a means to potentiate stronger anti-tumour Vδ2+ T-cell responses.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Fenn
- Institute for Infection and Immunity, St. George's, University of London, London, UK.,NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Respiratory Infections, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - L A Ridgley
- Institute for Infection and Immunity, St. George's, University of London, London, UK
| | - A White
- UK Health Security Agency, Porton Down, UK
| | - C Sarfas
- UK Health Security Agency, Porton Down, UK
| | - M Dennis
- UK Health Security Agency, Porton Down, UK
| | - A Dalgleish
- Institute for Infection and Immunity, St. George's, University of London, London, UK
| | - R Reljic
- Institute for Infection and Immunity, St. George's, University of London, London, UK
| | - S Sharpe
- UK Health Security Agency, Porton Down, UK
| | - M Bodman-Smith
- Institute for Infection and Immunity, St. George's, University of London, London, UK
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Girard P, Sosa Cuevas E, Ponsard B, Mouret S, Gil H, Col E, De Fraipont F, Sturm N, Charles J, Manches O, Chaperot L, Aspord C. Dysfunctional BTN3A together with deregulated immune checkpoints and type I/II IFN dictate defective interplay between pDCs and γδ T cells in melanoma patients, which impacts clinical outcomes. Clin Transl Immunology 2021; 10:e1329. [PMID: 34786191 PMCID: PMC8577077 DOI: 10.1002/cti2.1329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2021] [Revised: 06/22/2021] [Accepted: 07/29/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Objectives pDCs and γδ T cells emerge as potent immune players participating in the pathophysiology of cancers, yet still remaining enigmatic while harbouring a promising potential for clinical translations. Despite strategic and closed missions, crosstalk between pDCs and γδ T cells has not been deciphered yet in cancers, especially in melanoma where the long‐term control of the tumor still remains a challenge. Methods This prompted us to explore the interplay between pDCs and γδ T cells in the context of melanoma, investigating the reciprocal features of pDCs or γδ T cells, the underlying molecular mechanisms and its impact on clinical outcomes. Results TLRL‐activated pDCs from the blood and tumor infiltrate of melanoma patients displayed an impaired ability to activate, to modulate immune checkpoints and trigger the functionality of γδ T cells. Conversely, γδ T cells from the blood or tumor infiltrate of melanoma patients activated by PAg were defective in triggering pDCs’ activation and modulation of immune checkpoints, and failed to elicit the functionality of pDCs. Reversion of the dysfunctional cross‐talks could be achieved by specific cytokine administration and immune checkpoint targeting. Strikingly, we revealed an increased expression of BTN3A on circulating and tumor‐infiltrating pDCs and γδ T cells from melanoma patients, but stressed out the potential impairment of this molecule. Conclusion Our study uncovered that melanoma hijacked the bidirectional interplay between pDCs and γδ T cells to escape from immune control, and revealed BTN3A dysfunction. Such understanding will help harness and synergise the power of these potent immune cells to design new therapeutic approaches exploiting their antitumor potential while counteracting their skewing by tumors to improve patient outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pauline Girard
- Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Immunobiology and Immunotherapy in Chronic Diseases Inserm U 1209 CNRS UMR 5309 Université Grenoble Alpes Grenoble France.,Etablissement Français du Sang Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes R&D Laboratory Grenoble France
| | - Eleonora Sosa Cuevas
- Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Immunobiology and Immunotherapy in Chronic Diseases Inserm U 1209 CNRS UMR 5309 Université Grenoble Alpes Grenoble France.,Etablissement Français du Sang Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes R&D Laboratory Grenoble France
| | - Benedicte Ponsard
- Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Immunobiology and Immunotherapy in Chronic Diseases Inserm U 1209 CNRS UMR 5309 Université Grenoble Alpes Grenoble France.,Etablissement Français du Sang Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes R&D Laboratory Grenoble France
| | - Stephane Mouret
- Dermatology Clinic Grenoble University Hospital Grenoble France
| | - Hugo Gil
- Pathology Department Institut de Biologie et Pathologie CHU Grenoble Alpes Grenoble France
| | - Edwige Col
- Pathology Department Institut de Biologie et Pathologie CHU Grenoble Alpes Grenoble France
| | - Florence De Fraipont
- Medical Unit of Molecular Genetic (Hereditary Diseases and Oncology) Grenoble University Hospital Grenoble France
| | - Nathalie Sturm
- Pathology Department Institut de Biologie et Pathologie CHU Grenoble Alpes Grenoble France
| | - Julie Charles
- Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Immunobiology and Immunotherapy in Chronic Diseases Inserm U 1209 CNRS UMR 5309 Université Grenoble Alpes Grenoble France.,Dermatology Clinic Grenoble University Hospital Grenoble France
| | - Olivier Manches
- Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Immunobiology and Immunotherapy in Chronic Diseases Inserm U 1209 CNRS UMR 5309 Université Grenoble Alpes Grenoble France.,Etablissement Français du Sang Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes R&D Laboratory Grenoble France
| | - Laurence Chaperot
- Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Immunobiology and Immunotherapy in Chronic Diseases Inserm U 1209 CNRS UMR 5309 Université Grenoble Alpes Grenoble France.,Etablissement Français du Sang Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes R&D Laboratory Grenoble France
| | - Caroline Aspord
- Institute for Advanced Biosciences, Immunobiology and Immunotherapy in Chronic Diseases Inserm U 1209 CNRS UMR 5309 Université Grenoble Alpes Grenoble France.,Etablissement Français du Sang Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes R&D Laboratory Grenoble France
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Morrison AL, Sharpe S, White AD, Bodman-Smith M. Cheap and Commonplace: Making the Case for BCG and γδ T Cells in COVID-19. Front Immunol 2021; 12:743924. [PMID: 34567010 PMCID: PMC8455994 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.743924] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2021] [Accepted: 08/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Antigen-specific vaccines developed for the COVID-19 pandemic demonstrate a remarkable achievement and are currently being used in high income countries with much success. However, new SARS-CoV-2 variants are threatening this success via mutations that lessen the efficacy of antigen-specific antibodies. One simple approach to assisting with this issue is focusing on strategies that build on the non-specific protection afforded by the innate immune response. The BCG vaccine has been shown to provide broad protection beyond tuberculosis disease, including against respiratory viruses, and ongoing studies are investigating its efficacy as a tool against SARS-CoV-2. Gamma delta (γδ) T cells, particularly the Vδ2 subtype, undergo rapid expansion after BCG vaccination due to MHC-independent mechanisms. Consequently, γδ T cells can produce diverse defenses against virally infected cells, including direct cytotoxicity, death receptor ligands, and pro-inflammatory cytokines. They can also assist in stimulating the adaptive immune system. BCG is affordable, commonplace and non-specific, and therefore could be a useful tool to initiate innate protection against new SARS-CoV-2 variants. However, considerations must also be made to BCG vaccine supply and the prioritization of countries where it is most needed to combat tuberculosis first and foremost.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sally Sharpe
- Public Health England, National Infection Service, Porton Down, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew D. White
- Public Health England, National Infection Service, Porton Down, United Kingdom
| | - Mark Bodman-Smith
- Infection and Immunity Research Institute, St George’s University of London, London, United Kingdom
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8
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Caron J, Ridgley LA, Bodman-Smith M. How to Train Your Dragon: Harnessing Gamma Delta T Cells Antiviral Functions and Trained Immunity in a Pandemic Era. Front Immunol 2021; 12:666983. [PMID: 33854516 PMCID: PMC8039298 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2021.666983] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2021] [Accepted: 03/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The emergence of viruses with pandemic potential such as the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus causing COVID-19 poses a global health challenge. There is remarkable progress in vaccine technology in response to this threat, but their design often overlooks the innate arm of immunity. Gamma Delta (γδ) T cells are a subset of T cells with unique features that gives them a key role in the innate immune response to a variety of homeostatic alterations, from cancer to microbial infections. In the context of viral infection, a growing body of evidence shows that γδ T cells are particularly equipped for early virus detection, which triggers their subsequent activation, expansion and the fast deployment of antiviral functions such as direct cytotoxic pathways, secretion of cytokines, recruitment and activation of other immune cells and mobilization of a trained immunity memory program. As such, γδ T cells represent an attractive target to stimulate for a rapid and effective resolution of viral infections. Here, we review the known aspects of γδ T cells that make them crucial component of the immune response to viruses, and the ways that their antiviral potential can be harnessed to prevent or treat viral infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan Caron
- Infection and Immunity Research Institute, St. George's University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Laura Alice Ridgley
- Infection and Immunity Research Institute, St. George's University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Mark Bodman-Smith
- Infection and Immunity Research Institute, St. George's University of London, London, United Kingdom
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