6533b82cfe1ef96bd128ebdb

RESEARCH PRODUCT

Sex-specific phenotypical and functional differences in peripheral human Vγ9/Vδ2 T cells

Hassan JomaaFrancesco DieliDaniela WeschNadia CaccamoMatthias Eberl

subject

AdultMaleAgingmedicine.medical_specialtyAdolescentT-LymphocytesT cellImmunologyIsopentenyl pyrophosphateStimulationBiologygamma delta T cells Phenotype effector functionsInterferon-gammachemistry.chemical_compoundHemiterpenesOrganophosphorus CompoundsSex FactorsT-Lymphocyte SubsetsInternal medicinemedicineHumansImmunology and AllergySecretionLongitudinal StudiesChildAgedSex CharacteristicsEffectorCell DifferentiationReceptors Antigen T-Cell gamma-deltaCell BiologyMiddle AgedPhenotypeIn vitroPeripheralPhenotypemedicine.anatomical_structureEndocrinologychemistryChild PreschoolFemale

description

Abstract Vγ9/Vδ2 T cells constitute a minor proportion of human peripheral blood T cells that can expand rapidly upon infection with microbial pathogens. Vγ9/Vδ2 T cell numbers change characteristically with age, rising from birth to puberty and gradually decreasing again beyond 30 years of age. In adults, female blood donors have significantly higher levels than males, implying that circulating Vγ9/Vδ2 T cells in women remain elevated for a longer period in life and drop less strikingly than in men. This loss in men is accompanied by a substantial depletion of CD27−CD45RA− and CD27−CD45RA+ effector T cells and a parallel increase in CD27+CD45RA− central memory T cells while in women, the distribution of Vγ9/Vδ2 T cell subsets remains virtually unchanged. The phenotypical conversion in men older than 30 years is mirrored by an increased proliferative response of Vγ9/Vδ2 T cells and a reduced interferon-γ secretion upon stimulation with isopentenyl pyrophosphate in vitro.

yearjournalcountryeditionlanguage
2006-02-08Journal of Leukocyte Biology
https://doi.org/10.1189/jlb.1105640