BACKGROUND: Glioma is a common brain malignancy, but the effects of the γδ T cells and their subsets in peripheral blood in patients with glioma have not been reported.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: Flow cytometry was used to analyze the functions and expressions of δ T cells and their subsets in peripheral blood in healthy controls and patients with glioma. The Vδ2 T cells and the activation of killing function-related signaling pathway were analyzed by Western blot assay; the immunosuppressive functions of Vδ1 T cells were detected by CFSE proliferation assay; and the Vδ2 T cell killing functions were detected by killing assay.

RESULTS: Compared with the healthy controls, the ratio of Vδ1 T cells was significantly increased and the ratio of Vδ2 T cells was significantly decreased. After in vitro culture and anti-TCR gd antibody stimulation and in the presence of IL-2, in the patients with glioma, the Vδ1 T cells dominated and Vδ2 T cells were scarce. Flow cytometry staining showed that expression of immunosuppression-related molecules on the Vδ1 T cell surface was significantly increased, while the expression of killing function-related molecules and the activation of killing function-related signaling pathway in the Vδ2 T cells were significantly decreased. Functional test results showed that the immunosuppressive function of Vδ1T cells was enhanced and the killing function of Vδ1T cells was reduced.

CONCLUSIONS: The ratio and function changes of Vδ1 T cells and Vδ2 T cells are possibly associated with the pathogenesis of glioma.

Keywords: Astrocytoma, Immunosuppression, Neuroectodermal Tumors, Primitive, Peripheral