The function of γδ T cells in humoral immune responses

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this review is to discuss the role of γδ T cells played in humoral immune responses.

Background: The γδ T cell receptor (γδ TCR) recognizes antigens, including haptens and proteins, in an MHC-independent manner. The recognition of these antigens by γδ TCRs crosses antigen recognition by the B cell receptors (BCRs), suggesting that γδ T cells may be involved in the process of antigen recognition and activation of B cells. However, the role of γδ T cells in humoral immune responses is still less clear.

Methods: The kinds of literature about the γδ T cell-B cell interaction were searched on PubMed with search terms, such as γδ T cells, antibody, B cell responses, antigen recognition, and infection.

Results: Accumulating evidence indicates that γδ T cells, independent of αβ T cells, participate in multiple steps of humoral immunity, including B cell maturation, activation and differentiation, antibody production and class switching. Mechanically, γδ T cells affect B cell function by directly interacting with B cells, secreting cytokines, or modulating αβ T cells.

Conclusion: In this review, we summarize current knowledge on how γδ T cells take part in the humoral immune response, which may assist future vaccine design.

Keywords: B cell; Cytokine; Infection; γδ T cell; γδ T cell–B cell interaction.