γδ T cells control humoral immune response by inducing T follicular helper cell differentiation

Nat Commun. 2018 Aug 8;9(1):3151. doi: 10.1038/s41467-018-05487-9.

Abstract

γδ T cells have many known functions, including the regulation of antibody responses. However, how γδ T cells control humoral immunity remains elusive. Here we show that complete Freund's adjuvant (CFA), but not alum, immunization induces a subpopulation of CXCR5-expressing γδ T cells in the draining lymph nodes. TCRγδ+CXCR5+ cells present antigens to, and induce CXCR5 on, CD4 T cells by releasing Wnt ligands to initiate the T follicular helper (Tfh) cell program. Accordingly, TCRδ-/- mice have impaired germinal center formation, inefficient Tfh cell differentiation, and reduced serum levels of chicken ovalbumin (OVA)-specific antibodies after CFA/OVA immunization. In a mouse model of lupus, TCRδ-/- mice develop milder glomerulonephritis, consistent with decreased serum levels of lupus-related autoantibodies, when compared with wild type mice. Thus, modulation of the γδ T cell-dependent humoral immune response may provide a novel therapy approach for the treatment of antibody-mediated autoimmunity.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Alum Compounds
  • Animals
  • Antibody Formation
  • Autoantibodies / blood
  • Cell Differentiation*
  • Chickens
  • Female
  • Freund's Adjuvant / immunology
  • Glomerulonephritis
  • Immunity, Humoral / immunology*
  • Immunization
  • Intraepithelial Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • Intraepithelial Lymphocytes / physiology*
  • Kidney Glomerulus / immunology
  • Kidney Glomerulus / pathology
  • Lymph Nodes / immunology
  • Lymphocyte Activation
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Mutant Strains / immunology
  • Models, Animal
  • Models, Immunological
  • Ovalbumin / blood
  • Ovalbumin / immunology
  • Receptors, CXCR5 / metabolism
  • T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / immunology*
  • T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / physiology*

Substances

  • Alum Compounds
  • Autoantibodies
  • Receptors, CXCR5
  • aluminum sulfate
  • Ovalbumin
  • Freund's Adjuvant