Phenotype and function of peripheral blood γδ T cells in HIV infection with tuberculosis

Background: Although gamma delta T cells play an essential role in immunity against Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) or Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB), they are poorly described in HIV infection with tuberculosis (TB).Methods: The phenotypic and functional properties of peripheral blood gamma delta T cells in patients with HIV/TB co-infection were analyzed compared to healthy controls and patients with HIV mono-infection or TB by direct intracellular cytokine staining (ICS).Results: The percentage of V delta(1) subset in HIV/TB group was significantly higher than that in TB group, while the decreased frequency of the V delta(2) and V gamma V-2 delta(2) subsets were observed in HIV/TB group than in TB group. The percentage of CD4(+)CD8(-) V delta(2) subset in HIV/TB group was markedly lower than in TB group. However, the percentage of CD4(+)CD8(+) V delta(2) subset in HIV/TB group was markedly higher than HIV group or TB group. A lower percentage TNF-alpha and a higher percentage of IL-17A of V delta(2) subset were observed in HIV/TB group than that in HIV mono-infection. The percentage of perforin-producing V delta(2) subset was significantly lower in HIV/TB group than that in HIV group and TB group.Conclusions: Our data suggested that HIV/TB co-infection altered the balance of gamma delta T cell subsets. The influence of HIV/TB co-infection on the function of gamma delta T cells to produce cytokines was complicated, which will shed light on further investigations on the mechanisms of the immune response against HIV and/or MTB infection.

Automated summary

The study indicates that HIV/TB co-infection alters the balance of γδT cell subsets and has complex effects on cytokine production by these cells.