The microbiota is a potential mediator of the crosstalk between γδ T cells and tumors

Huidi Wang,Yan He,Jie Li,Jia Yin

doi:10.37349/ei.2022.00036

Abstract

γδ T cells are one of the immune cell types that express antigen receptors. γδ T cells are able to recognize pathogens or cancer cells independently of human leukocyte antigen restriction, which is an important feature of αβ T cells. Therefore, γδ T cells are considered the bridge between innate and adaptive immunity. These cells exhibit important roles in immune surveillance, exert immune defense against tumors and have become promising effector cells for cancer immunotherapy. However, in particular circumstances, the tumor microenvironment seems to render γδ T cells immunosuppressive and even tumor-promoting, emphasizing the importance of regulating γδ T functions in realizing their translation into practical cancer immunotherapy. In recent years, increasing evidence has demonstrated that the intratumoral and peritumoral microbiota can have complex effects on tumor immunology. Thus, understanding the role of microbiota in the crosstalk between γδ T cells and tumors will provide insights for developing adjuvant immunotherapy with precise regulation of tumor-related microbiota. In the present review, the effects of microbiota on γδ T cell receptor repertoire and the roles of microbiota in some common tumors will be discussed, with implications for future cancer therapy.

Highlights

Discoveries in the field of γδ T cell biology have failed to keep the same pace as those in conventional αβ T cell research
Over the past few decades, researchers have unraveled the major differences of γδ T cells from αβ T cells. γδ T cells (i) are derived from CD4–/CD8– double-negative thymocytes and mature earlier in the fetal thymus than αβ T cells, (ii) are frequently associated with the epithelium, (iii) recognize multiple antigen-derived peptides with T cell receptors (TCRs) in a major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-independent manner, and (iv) present natural killer (NK) cell-like and antigen presenting cell (APC)-like innate reactivities
We focus our attention on some cancers with high morbidity and discuss how the microbiota may influence the interplay between γδ T cells and these cancers, with an eye toward future applications

Summary

Open Access Review

The microbiota is a potential mediator of the crosstalk between γδ T cells and tumors Huidi Wang, Jie Li2, Yan He2*, Jia Yin1*. The microbiota is a potential mediator of the crosstalk between γδ T cells and tumors. Γδ T cells are considered the bridge between innate and adaptive immunity These cells exhibit important roles in immune surveillance, exert immune defense against tumors and have become promising effector cells for cancer immunotherapy. Understanding the role of microbiota in the crosstalk between γδ T cells and tumors will provide insights for developing adjuvant immunotherapy with precise regulation of tumor-related microbiota. The effects of microbiota on γδ T cell receptor repertoire and the roles of microbiota in some common tumors will be discussed, with implications for future cancer therapy

Introduction

TCR repertoire education by the microbiota

The role of microbiota in gynecological cancer

Findings

Conclusions