A comparative view on vitamin C effects on αβ- versus γδ T-cell activation and differentiation

J Leukoc Biol. 2020 Jun;107(6):1009-1022. doi: 10.1002/JLB.1MR1219-245R. Epub 2020 Feb 7.

Abstract

Vitamin C (VitC) is an essential vitamin that needs to be provided through exogenous sources. It is a potent anti-oxidant, and an essential cofactor for many enzymes including a group of enzymes that modulate epigenetic regulation of gene expression. Moreover, VitC has a significant influence on T-cell differentiation, and can directly interfere with T-cell signaling. Conventional CD4 and CD8 T cells express the αβ TCR and recognize peptide antigens in the context of MHC presentation. The numerically small population of γδ T cells recognizes antigens in an MHC-independent manner. γδ T cells kill a broad variety of malignant cells, and because of their unique features, are interesting candidates for cancer immunotherapy. In this review, we summarize what is known about the influence of VitC on T-cell activation and differentiation with a special focus on γδ T cells. The known mechanisms of action of VitC on αβ T cells are discussed and extrapolated to the effects observed on γδ T-cell activation and differentiation. Overall, VitC enhances proliferation and effector functions of γδ T cells and thus may help to increase the efficacy of γδ T cells applied as cancer immunotherapy in adoptive cell transfer.

Keywords: T-cell signaling; Vdelta2 T cells; gammadelta T cells; vitamin C.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antioxidants / pharmacology*
  • Ascorbic Acid / pharmacology*
  • Cell Differentiation / drug effects
  • Cell Lineage / drug effects
  • Cell Lineage / genetics
  • Cell Lineage / immunology
  • Epigenesis, Genetic / drug effects*
  • Epigenesis, Genetic / immunology
  • Humans
  • Immunotherapy / methods
  • Lymphocyte Activation / drug effects
  • Mice
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta / genetics*
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta / immunology
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta / genetics*
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta / immunology
  • Signal Transduction
  • T-Lymphocytes / classification
  • T-Lymphocytes / cytology
  • T-Lymphocytes / drug effects*
  • T-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • Thymus Gland / cytology
  • Thymus Gland / immunology

Substances

  • Antioxidants
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta
  • Ascorbic Acid