Transcriptional Memory-Like Imprints and Enhanced Functional Activity in γδ T Cells Following Resolution of Malaria Infection

oleh: Rasika Kumarasingha, Rasika Kumarasingha, Lisa J. Ioannidis, Lisa J. Ioannidis, Waruni Abeysekera, Waruni Abeysekera, Stephanie Studniberg, Stephanie Studniberg, Dinidu Wijesurendra, Dinidu Wijesurendra, Ramin Mazhari, Ramin Mazhari, Daniel P. Poole, Ivo Mueller, Ivo Mueller, Louis Schofield, Louis Schofield, Louis Schofield, Diana S. Hansen, Diana S. Hansen, Emily M. Eriksson, Emily M. Eriksson

Format: Article
Diterbitkan: Frontiers Media S.A. 2020-10-01

Deskripsi

γδ T cells play an essential role in the immune response to many pathogens, including Plasmodium. However, long-lasting effects of infection on the γδ T cell population still remain inadequately understood. This study focused on assessing molecular and functional changes that persist in the γδ T cell population following resolution of malaria infection. We investigated transcriptional changes and memory-like functional capacity of malaria pre-exposed γδ T cells using a Plasmodiumchabaudi infection model. We show that multiple genes associated with effector function (chemokines, cytokines and cytotoxicity) and antigen-presentation were upregulated in P. chabaudi-exposed γδ T cells compared to γδ T cells from naïve mice. This transcriptional profile was positively correlated with profiles observed in conventional memory CD8+ T cells and was accompanied by enhanced reactivation upon secondary encounter with Plasmodium-infected red blood cells in vitro. Collectively our data demonstrate that Plasmodium exposure result in “memory-like imprints” in the γδ T cell population and also promotes γδ T cells that can support antigen-presentation during subsequent infections.