γδ T Cells in Peripheral Blood of Glioma Patients

BACKGROUND Glioma is a common brain malignancy, but the effects of the γδ T cells and their subsets in peripheral blood in patients with glioma have not been reported. MATERIAL AND METHODS Flow cytometry was used to analyze the functions and expressions of δ T cells and their subsets in peripheral blood in healthy controls and patients with glioma. The Vδ2 T cells and the activation of killing function-related signaling pathway were analyzed by Western blot assay; the immunosuppressive functions of Vδ1 T cells were detected by CFSE proliferation assay; and the Vδ2 T cell killing functions were detected by killing assay. RESULTS Compared with the healthy controls, the ratio of Vδ1 T cells was significantly increased and the ratio of Vδ2 T cells was significantly decreased. After in vitro culture and anti-TCR gd antibody stimulation and in the presence of IL-2, in the patients with glioma, the Vδ1 T cells dominated and Vδ2 T cells were scarce. Flow cytometry staining showed that expression of immunosuppression-related molecules on the Vδ1 T cell surface was significantly increased, while the expression of killing function-related molecules and the activation of killing function-related signaling pathway in the Vδ2 T cells were significantly decreased. Functional test results showed that the immunosuppressive function of Vδ1T cells was enhanced and the killing function of Vδ1T cells was reduced. CONCLUSIONS The ratio and function changes of Vδ1 T cells and Vδ2 T cells are possibly associated with the pathogenesis of glioma.