Reduced immune response to Borrelia burgdorferi in the absence of γδ T cells

Infect Immun. 2011 Oct;79(10):3940-6. doi: 10.1128/IAI.00148-11. Epub 2011 Jul 18.

Abstract

Little is known regarding the function of γδ T cells, although they accumulate at sites of inflammation in infections and autoimmune disorders. We previously observed that γδ T cells in vitro are activated by Borrelia burgdorferi in a TLR2-dependent manner. We now observe that the activated γδ T cells can in turn stimulate dendritic cells in vitro to produce cytokines and chemokines that are important for the adaptive immune response. This suggested that in vivo γδ T cells may assist in activating the adaptive immune response. We examined this possibility in vivo and observed that γδ T cells are activated and expand in number during Borrelia infection, and this was reduced in the absence of TLR2. Furthermore, in the absence of γδ T cells, there was a significantly blunted response of adaptive immunity, as reflected in reduced expansion of T and B cells and reduced serum levels of anti-Borrelia antibodies, cytokines, and chemokines. This paralleled a greater Borrelia burden in γδ-deficient mice as well as more cardiac inflammation. These findings are consistent with a model of γδ T cells functioning to promote the adaptive immune response during infection.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Adaptive Immunity
  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Bacterial / blood
  • Borrelia burgdorferi / immunology*
  • Chemokines / blood
  • Cytokines / blood
  • Dendritic Cells / immunology
  • Dendritic Cells / metabolism
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Humans
  • Lyme Disease / immunology*
  • Lyme Disease / microbiology
  • Lymphocyte Activation / immunology
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta / deficiency*
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta / genetics
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta / immunology
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta / physiology
  • T-Lymphocyte Subsets / immunology

Substances

  • Antibodies, Bacterial
  • Chemokines
  • Cytokines
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta