Functionally distinct subsets of human γ/δ T cells

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Abstract
To determine if effector subsets exist among human γ/δ T cells, we examined the cytokine production and cytotoxic activity of γ/δ T cell clones with different accessory molecule phenotypes, Vδ and Vγ gene expression, and Jγ rearrangements. T cell clones bearing γ/δ T cell receptor produce an array of cytokines like α/β T cell clones. Individual γ/δ T cell clones produced a characteristic array of cytokines without correlation with Vδ or Vγ gene expression. However, when phenotypic subsets were considered, CD4+ γ/δ clones produced significantly higher levels of interleukin 2 and granulocyte‐monocyte colony‐stimulating factor compared with CD4−CD8− and CD8+ γ/δ clones. Similarly, when cytotoxic potential was assessed, CD4+ γ/δ clones exhibited minimal activity when compared with CD4−CD8− and CD8+ adult peripheral blood γ/δ clones. We conclude that functionally distinct γ/δ T cell subsets exist and suggest that these subsets may correlate with expression of the CD4 accessory molecule.