Mucosal and Systemic {gamma}{delta}+ T Cells Associated with Control of Simian Immunodeficiency Virus Infection [INFECTIOUS DISEASE AND HOST RESPONSE]

T cells act as a first line of defense against invading pathogens. However, despite their abundance in mucosal tissue, little information is available about their functionality in this compartment in the context of HIV/SIV infection. In this study, we evaluated the frequency, phenotype, and functionality of V1 and V2 T cells from blood, rectum, and the female reproductive tract (FRT) of rhesus macaques to determine whether these cells contribute to control of SIV infection. No alteration in the peripheral V1/V2 ratio in SIV-infected macaques was observed. However, CD8⁺ and CD4⁺CD8⁺ V1 T cells were expanded along with upregulation of NKG2D, CD107, and granzyme B, suggesting cytotoxic function. In contrast, V2 T cells showed a reduced ability to produce the inflammatory cytokine IFN-. In the FRT of SIV⁺ macaques, V1 and V2 showed comparable levels across vaginal, ectocervical, and endocervical tissues; however, endocervical V2 T cells showed higher inflammatory profiles than the two other regions. No sex difference was seen in the rectal V1/V2 ratio. Several peripheral V1 and/or V2 T cell subpopulations expressing IFN- and/or NKG2D were positively correlated with decreased plasma viremia. Notably, V2 CD8⁺ T cells of the endocervix were negatively correlated with chronic viremia. Overall, our results suggest that a robust V1 and V2 T cell response in blood and the FRT of SIV-infected macaques contribute to control of viremia.

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