Reciprocal stimulation of gamma delta T cells and dendritic cells during the anti-mycobacterial immune response

gammadelta Tcells and dendritic cells (DC) are two distinct cell types of innate immunity that participate in early phases of immune response against Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection. Here we show that a close functional relationship exists between these cell populations. Using an in vitro coculture system, Vgamma1 T cells from Tcrb(-/-) mice were found to be activated by DC infected in vitro with BCG, as indicated by the elevated CD69 expression, IFN-gamma secretion and cytotoxic activity. This activation process was due to a non-cognate mechanism since it required neither cell to cell contact nor interaction between the TCR and a specific antigen, but was mediated by DC-derived IL-12. Reciprocally, Vgammal T cells provided a key cytokine, IFN-gamma, which increased IL-12 production by BCG-infected DC. Moreover, exposure of BCGinfected DC to Vgammal T cells conditioned the former to prime a significantly stronger anti-mycobacterial CD8 T cell response. Consequently, stimulation of 76 T cells and their non-cognate interaction with DC could be applied as an immune adjuvant strategy to optimize vaccine-induced CD8 T cell immunity.