CD161 expression defines new human γδ T cell subsets

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

Journal

Immunity & Ageing

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Volume

19

ISBN/ISSN

1742-4933

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Pages Count

8

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Publisher

BioMed Central Ltd.

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DOI

10.1186/s12979-022-00269-w