Identification of a regulatory Vδ1 gamma delta T cell subpopulation expressing CD73 in human breast cancer.

ABSTRACT

γδ T cells contribute to the immune response against many cancers, notably through their powerful effector functions that lead to the elimination of tumor cells and the recruitment of other immune cells. However, their presence in the tumor microenvironment has been associated with poor prognosis in breast, colon, and pancreatic cancer, suggesting that γδ T cells may also display pro-tumor activities. Here, we identified in blood from healthy donors a subpopulation of Vδ1T cells that represents around 20% of the whole Vδ1 population, expresses CD73, and displays immunosuppressive phenotype and functions (i.e., production of immunosuppressive molecules, such as IL-10, adenosine, and the chemotactic factor IL-8, and inhibition of αß T cell proliferation). We then found that in human breast tumors, γδ T cells were present particularly in late stage breast cancer samples, and that ∼20% of tumor-infiltrating γδ T cells expressed CD73. Taken together, these results suggest that regulatory γδ T cells are present in the breast cancer microenvironment and may display immunosuppressive functions through the production of immunosuppressive molecules, such as IL-10, IL-8, and adenosine, thus promoting tumor growth.