Protective function of an unconventional γδ T cell subset against malaria infection in apoptosis inhibitor deficient

Changchun Li1, Kaiissar Mannoor, Masashi Inafuku

  • 1Transdisciplinary Research Organization for Subtropics and Island Studies, University of the Ryukyus, Okinawa, Japan. changchu@comb.u-ryukyu.ac.jp

Cellular Immunology
|December 19, 2012
PubMed

Various subsets of T-cell receptor (TCR) γδ⁺ T cells expressing distinct TCR-Vγ chains are found in many different anatomical locations. These TCR γδ⁺ T cells perform multiple functions as an essential part of the immune system. In particular, protection against malaria infection by TCR γδ⁺ T cells is of special interest. In the present study, we confirmed that the Vγ7⁺ γδ T cells, which are an unconventional subset usually localized within the intestine, are recruited to the liver and spleen at the late stage of malaria infection, and contribute to protection against malaria infection via a multifunctional approach in apoptosis inhibitor-deficient mice.