Gamma/delta T cells provide innate immunity against renal cell carcinoma

Cancer Immunol Immunother. 2001 May;50(3):115-24. doi: 10.1007/s002620100173.

Abstract

Host immune function plays a certain role against the development of renal cell carcinomas (RCCs), but the mechanism is not entirely understood. Human gamma/delta (gamma/delta) T cells defend the body against infection. In this study, we clarify the role of gamma/delta T cells in the surveillance system against RCCs by analyzing the gamma/delta T cells in peripheral blood mononucleocytes (PBMs) and tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) from 41 patients with RCCs. The results showed that the number of gamma/delta T cells expressing V gamma 2 and V delta 2 in variable elements of TCR was elevated in the PBMs in 10 patients, but not in any of 32 healthy individuals. The proportion of patients with an elevated number of gamma/delta T cells (> 10%) increased with cancer stage. The level of the gamma/delta T cells decreased after surgery. The gamma/delta T cells in the TILs were more activated than those in the PBMs. Evaluation of the junctional diversity of TCR V gamma 2 and V delta 2 chains showed that the increased peripheral blood gamma/delta T cells were oligoclonal rather than polyclonal. Taken together, our findings suggest that gamma/delta T cells recognize certain RCC-related antigens and play a role in the surveillance system against RCCs.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Carcinoma, Renal Cell / immunology*
  • Carcinoma, Renal Cell / prevention & control
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Cloning, Molecular
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Kidney Neoplasms / immunology*
  • Kidney Neoplasms / prevention & control
  • Leukocytes, Mononuclear / cytology
  • Leukocytes, Mononuclear / metabolism
  • Lymphocytes, Tumor-Infiltrating / cytology
  • Lymphocytes, Tumor-Infiltrating / metabolism
  • Male
  • Microscopy, Fluorescence
  • Middle Aged
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta / metabolism
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta / physiology*
  • Sequence Analysis, DNA
  • T-Lymphocytes / metabolism*
  • T-Lymphocytes / physiology*
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta