Related Experiment Videos
Gamma delta T lymphocyte responses to HIV
M Wallace1, S R Bartz, W L Chang
1Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University of Wisconsin Medical School, Madison, USA.
Clinical and Experimental Immunology
|February 1, 1996
Summary
Natural killer cells show anti-HIV activity. Researchers found that specific gamma delta T cell clones from healthy donors can kill HIV-infected cells, offering insights into natural immunity against HIV.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Virology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Natural immunity plays a role in controlling viral infections like HIV.
- Gamma delta T cells are a distinct subset of T lymphocytes with unique immune functions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the anti-HIV cytotoxic and proliferative responses of gamma delta T cell clones from healthy, HIV-negative individuals.
- To determine if specific gamma delta T cell subsets exhibit direct activity against HIV-infected cells.
Main Methods:
- Isolation of gamma delta T cell receptor-positive lymphocyte clones from peripheral blood of healthy donors.
- Assay of cytotoxic activity against HIV-infected cells and Daudi cells.
- Assessment of proliferative responses to HIV-infected cells and cell-free HIV.
Main Results:
- 40% of V gamma 9+/V delta 2+ T cell clones showed lytic activity against HIV-infected cells, while V delta 1+ clones did not.
- Cytotoxic V gamma 9+/V delta 2+ clones also lysed Daudi cells, but not all Daudi-lysing clones were anti-HIV cytotoxic.
- Specific V gamma 9+/V delta 2+ and V delta 1+ T cell clones demonstrated proliferative responses to HIV-infected cells or cell-free HIV.
Conclusions:
- Direct evidence of anti-HIV gamma delta T cell responses in healthy individuals is provided.
- The V gamma 9+/V delta 2+ T cell subset appears to be a key player in the cellular immune response against HIV.
- These findings contribute to understanding the role of natural immunity in HIV infection and potential therapeutic strategies.