γδ T lymphocyte responses to HIV

Abstract

Natural immunity may be involved in controlling viral spread in hosts infected with HIV. A panel of γδ T cell receptor-positive lymphocyte clones was isolated from the peripheral blood of healthy HIV⁻ donors and tested for anti-HIV cytotoxic responses. Twelve of 30 (40%) Vγ9⁺Vδ2⁺ T cell clones, but none of seven Vδ1⁺ T cell clones, displayed lytic activity against HIV-infected cells. The Vγ9⁺/Vδ2⁺ clones cytotoxic for HIV-infected cells also lysed Daudi cells. However, not all Vγ9⁺/Vδ2⁺ clones which lysed Daudi targets had the capacity to lyse HIV-infected cells. Some of the γδ T cell clones were also investigated for potential proliferative responses to HIV-infected cells. One Vγ9⁺/Vδ2⁺ T cell clone (ME8-7) and one Vδ1⁺ T cell clone (ME18-2) demonstrated proliferative responses toward HIV-infected cells. Another Vγ9⁺/Vδ2⁺ clone (VM39) proliferated in response to cell-free HIV. Taken together, these results provide direct evidence of anti-HIV γδ T cell responses in healthy, HIV⁻ persons.

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