Effector Vγ9Vδ2 T cells dominate the human fetal γδ T-cell repertoire
Abstract
Despite their enormous potential for diversity (in excess of 1015 theoretical receptor specificities), the human γδ T-cell repertoire is dominated by a specific subset expressing the T-cell receptor containing the γ-chain variable region 9 and the δ-chain variable region 2 (Vγ9Vδ2) known to react to a set of pathogen-derived small molecules (phosphoantigens). Overrepresentation of this restricted set of γδ T cells in adults has been thought to reflect an antigen-specific selection process resulting from postnatal exposure to pathogens. However, we demonstrate here that restricted Vγ9Vδ2 cells with preprogrammed effector function represent the predominant γδ T-cell subset circulating in human fetal blood. This observation suggests that, despite developing in a sterile environment, the human fetal γδ T cell repertoire is enriched for pathogen-reactive T cells well before pathogen exposure.
- Publication:
-
Proceedings of the National Academy of Science
- Pub Date:
- February 2015
- DOI:
- 10.1073/pnas.1412058112
- Bibcode:
- 2015PNAS..112E.556D