Antiviral activity of primate gamma delta T lymphocytes isolated by magnetic cell sorting

The exposure of human or rhesus monkey peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) to interleukin 2 (IL-2) in vitro resulted in a selective outgrowth of gamma delta lymphocytes. Using positive selection by monoclonal antibodies and magnetic beads, gamma delta T lymphocytes were isolated from these cultures. Without priming by viral antigens, the purified gamma delta T lymphocytes lyse immunodeficiency virus-infected cells substantially better than the uninfected counterparts.