The cytotoxic molecule granulysin is capable of inducing either chemotaxis or fugetaxis in dendritic cells depending on maturation: a role for Vδ2 γδ T cells in the modulation of immune response to tumour?

Release of granulysin by γδ T cells contributes to tumour cell killing. A cytolytic 9000 MW isoform of granulysin kills tumour cells directly, whereas a 15 000 MW precursor has been hypothesized to cause both the maturation and migration of dendritic cell (DC) populations. Recruiting DC to a tumour is beneficial as these cells initiate adaptive immune responses, which contribute to the eradication of malignancies. In this study, Vδ2 γδ T cells were activated by stimulation of peripheral blood mononuclear cells with zoledronic acid or Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG), or were isolated and cultured with tumour targets. Although a large proportion of resting Vδ2 γδ T cells expressed 15 000 MW granulysin, 9000 MW granulysin expression was induced only after stimulation with BCG. Increased levels of activation and granulysin secretion were also observed when Vδ2 γδ T cells were cultured with the human B-cell lymphoma line Daudi. High concentrations of recombinant 15 000 MW granulysin caused migration and maturation of immature DC, and also initiated fugetaxis in mature DC. Conversely, low concentrations of recombinant 15 000 MW granulysin resulted in migration of mature DC, but not immature DC. Our data therefore support the hypothesis that Vδ2 γδ T cells can release granulysin, which may modulate recruitment of DC, initiating adaptive immune responses.