The characterisation of Human Vδ3 T cells

Abstract

Human γδ T cells expressing the Vδ3 TCR make up a minor lymphocyte subset in blood but are enriched in liver and in patients with some chronic viral infections and leukemias. We analysed the frequencies, phenotypes, restriction elements, and functions of fresh and expanded peripheral blood Vδ3 T cells. Vδ3 T cells accounted for ~0.2% of circulating T cells, included CD4(+), CD8(+), and CD4(-)CD8(-) subsets, and variably expressed CD56, CD161, HLA-DR, and NKG2D but neither NKG2A nor NKG2C. Vδ3 T cells were sorted and expanded by mitogen stimulation in the presence of IL-2.