The capacity of CD4+ Vγ9Vδ2 T cells to kill cancer cells correlates with co-expression of CD56

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articleResearchpeer-review

  • Gitte Holmen Olofsson
  • Sara Ram Pedersen
  • Pia Aehnlich
  • Svane, Inge Marie
  • Manja Idorn
  • Per thor Straten

Human Vγ9Vδ2 T cells are a unique T-cell type, and data from recent studies of Vγ9Vδ2 T cells emphasize their potential relevance to cancer immunotherapy. Vγ9Vδ2 T cells exhibit dual properties since they are both antigen-presenting cells and cytotoxic toward cancer cells. The majority of Vγ9Vδ2 T cells are double-negative for the co-receptors CD4 and CD8, and only 20–30% express CD8. Even though they are mostly neglected, a small fraction of Vγ9Vδ2 T cells also express the co-receptor CD4. Here the authors show that CD4+ Vγ9Vδ2 T cells comprise 0.1–7% of peripheral blood Vγ9Vδ2 T cells. These cells can be expanded in vitro using zoledronic acid, pamidronic acid or CD3 antibodies combined with IL-2 and feeder cells. Unlike most conventional CD4+ αβ T cells, CD4+ Vγ9Vδ2 T cells are potently cytotoxic and can kill cancer cells, which is here shown by the killing of cancer cell lines of different histological origins, including breast cancer, prostate cancer and melanoma cell lines, upon treatment with zoledronic acid. Notably, the killing capacity of CD4+ Vγ9Vδ2 T cells correlates with co-expression of CD56.

Original languageEnglish
JournalCytotherapy
Volume23
Issue number7
Pages (from-to)582-589
ISSN1465-3249
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2021

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2021 International Society for Cell & Gene Therapy

    Research areas

  • CD4, CD56, cytotoxicity, Vγ9Vδ2, γδ T cells

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