γδ T Cell Therapy Development for Influenza Infections

γδ T cells play an indispensable role in host defenses against influenza virus. γδ T cell-based therapy has great potential for the treatment of influenza infections. Creative Biolabs is in the leading position in T cell-based therapy with numerous experiences and advanced technologies. We currently offer professional and skillful services to customers, giving them assistance in time for influenza infection therapy. We also provide thoroughly γδ T cell therapy evaluation services in animal models for research use.

γδ T Cells and Influenza Infections

Due to annual cocirculation and rapid spreading, influenza viruses lead to a large amount of global morbidity and mortality. Influenza viruses could be divided into three categories, influenza A viruses (IVA), influenza B viruses (IVB), and influenza C viruses (IVC). Among them, IVA show a much more severe infection when compared to the other two.

Innate immunity acts as a frontline defense to eliminate viruses by interferon and enhance the adaptive immune response at the same time. Phosphoantigen-activated γδ T cells secret substances associated with killing cells infected by influenza viruses to fight against viruses, including but not limited to granulysin, perforin, and granzyme B. Thus, phosphoantigen-activated γδ T cells have a significant ability to clear avian as well as human influenza viruses.

γδ T cells also assist in strengthening the activity of antigen-presenting cells (APCs) by providing significant signal molecules. After that, APCs play their antigen-presenting role to present influenza virus to acquire T cells (such as CD8+ T cells and CD4+ T cells) and influenza viruses will finally be cleared by these antigen-specific T cell responses. Furthermore, phosphoantigen-activated and expanded γδ T cells also induce the expression of chemokine receptor 1 (CCR1), one of the inflammatory chemokine receptors that promote the ability of elimination of influenza viruses.

γδ T Cell Therapy for Influenza Infections

Recently, the beneficial effects of human Vγ9Vδ2 T cells against influenza virus infection have been reported. Vγ9Vδ2 T cells can control infection of several strains of influenza viruses, such as H1N1, H5N1 and H9N2 viruses. For instance, highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 epidemics pose a significant threat to humans. Studies revealed that γδ T cells provided a crucial protective function in the defense against HPAI H5N1 viral infection by directly activating γδ T cells through the natural HPAI H5N1 virus hemagglutinin (HA) trimers. Vγ9Vδ2 T cells expressed both type 1 cytokines and chemokine receptors during influenza virus infection, and phosphoantigens-activated cells had a higher capacity to produce IFN-γ. Additionally, pamidronate activated human Vγ9Vδ2 T cells could kill influenza virus-infected cells and suppress viral replication in vitro. The approach of using phosphoantigens plus IL-2 has been the most potent and widely accepted protocol for activation and expansion of Vγ9Vδ2 γδ T cells both in vitro and in vivo. For adoptive transfer therapy, a single dose as large as 109 ex vivo expanded Vγ9Vδ2 γδ T cells has been confirmed to be safe by several independent projects.

What Can We Do for You?

One major obstacle to γδ T cell-based therapy is the scarcity of γδ T cells in peripheral blood. Creative Biolabs proposes novel strategies to offer our clients γδ T cell isolation, activation and expansion services. γδ T characterization services will be provided in both phenotypic and functional terms. Refer to γδ T Cell Development for more unique services. Besides, we are also proud to successfully operate an advanced platform to combine chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) service with γδ T cell and supply animal models for influenza infections therapy in academic areas. For more details, please feel free to contact us.