Immunity & Ageing (Feb 2022)

CD161 expression defines new human γδ T cell subsets

  • Amali Karunathilaka,
  • Samuel Halstrom,
  • Patricia Price,
  • Michael Holt,
  • Viviana P. Lutzky,
  • Denise L. Doolan,
  • Andreas Kupz,
  • Scott C. Bell,
  • Rachel M. Thomson,
  • John J. Miles,
  • Champa N. Ratnatunga

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12979-022-00269-w
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 19, no. 1
pp. 1 – 8

Abstract

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Abstract γδ T cells are a highly versatile immune lineage involved in host defense and homeostasis, but questions remain around their heterogeneity, precise function and role during health and disease. We used multi−parametric flow cytometry, dimensionality reduction, unsupervised clustering, and self-organizing maps (SOM) to identify novel γδ T cell naïve/memory subsets chiefly defined by CD161 expression levels, a surface membrane receptor that can be activating or suppressive. We used middle-to-old age individuals given immune blockade is commonly used in this population. Whilst most Vδ1+subset cells exhibited a terminal differentiation phenotype, Vδ1− subset cells showed an early memory phenotype. Dimensionality reduction revealed eight γδ T cell clusters chiefly diverging through CD161 expression with CD4 and CD8 expression limited to specific subpopulations. Comparison of matched healthy elderly individuals to bronchiectasis patients revealed elevated Vδ1+ terminally differentiated effector memory cells in patients potentially linking this population with chronic proinflammatory disease.

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