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Updated: Jun 18, 2026

Expansion of Human Peripheral Blood γδ T Cells using Zoledronate
Published on: September 9, 2011
Activation of γδ T cells by bisphosphonates
Keith Thompson1, Anke J Roelofs, Marjo Jauhiainen
1Bone and Musculoskeletal Research Programme, Institute of Medical Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Foresterhill, AB25 2ZD, Aberdeen, UK. k.thompson@abdn.ac.uk
Abstract:
After decades of successful clinical use, the exact molecular mechanisms by which the anti-resorptive bisphosphonate drugs (BPs) exert their effects are now being revealed. In addition to their anti-resorptive effects, it is now apparent that nitrogen-containing BPs (N-BPs) have immunomodulatory properties. Specifically, these drugs activate immune cells called gamma, delta T lymphocytes. In this chapter we discuss the mechanism of gamma, delta T cell activation by N-BPs and propose that N-BPs may provide a safe and effective means for manipulating gamma,delta T cell activity in future immunotherapeutic approaches.
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