Gammadelta (γδ) T lymphocytes do not impact the development of early atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis. 2014 Jun;234(2):265-9. doi: 10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2014.03.007. Epub 2014 Mar 20.

Abstract

Objective: Gammadelta (γδ) T cells are a subset of pro-inflammatory innate-like T lymphocytes that serve as a bridge between innate and adaptive immunity. γδ T cells are highly enriched in cholesterol compared to αβ T cells. In this study, we aimed to identify the role of γδ T cells in atherosclerosis, a cholesterol and inflammation-driven disease.

Methods: We found that the percentages of γδ T cells are increased in ApoE(-/-) mice fed a Western diet. We generated TCRδ(-/-)ApoE(-/-) mice and fed them either rodent chow or a Western diet for ten weeks for the assessment of atherosclerosis.

Results: The atherosclerotic lesion size in diet-fed TCRδ(-/-)ApoE(-/-) mice was similar to that of diet-fed ApoE(-/-) mice. There were no differences in cytokine production or numbers of αβ T cells in aorta of TCRδ(-/-)ApoE(-/-) mice. Plasma lipoprotein profiles were unchanged by the absence of γδ T cells.

Conclusion: Our data suggest that γδ T cells do not contribute to early atherosclerotic plaque development.

Keywords: Atherosclerosis; Cholesterol; Gammadelta.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Aorta / immunology*
  • Aorta / metabolism
  • Aorta / pathology
  • Aortic Diseases / genetics
  • Aortic Diseases / immunology*
  • Aortic Diseases / metabolism
  • Aortic Diseases / pathology
  • Apolipoproteins E / deficiency
  • Apolipoproteins E / genetics
  • Atherosclerosis / genetics
  • Atherosclerosis / immunology*
  • Atherosclerosis / metabolism
  • Atherosclerosis / pathology
  • Cytokines / blood
  • Diet, Western
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Disease Progression
  • Lipids / blood
  • Male
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Plaque, Atherosclerotic
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta / deficiency
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta / genetics
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta / metabolism*
  • Risk Factors
  • T-Lymphocyte Subsets / immunology*
  • T-Lymphocyte Subsets / metabolism
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Apolipoproteins E
  • Cytokines
  • Lipids
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta