IL-17A+ gamma delta T cells and human papillomavirus oncoproteins

What is it about?

Of all tumor-infiltrating leukocytes, T cells bearing γδ T-cell re- ceptors have been associated with the most favorable prognosis. However, we show here, in a mouse model of carcinogenesis induced by human papillomavirus (HPV) oncoproteins, that γδ T cells promoted the development of HPV-induced lesions. In- deed, HPV-oncoprotein expression induced an infiltration of γδ T cells producing IL-17A, a proangiogenic cytokine, and decreased density of antitumor Vγ5+ γδ T subsets. Supporting the clinical relevance of our observations, IL-17A+ γδ T cells were detected in human cervical cancer, where HPV oncoproteins are highly expressed, but not in less advanced cervical lesions. These results support the notion that viral oncoproteins can induce a switch from antitumoral to protumoral γδ T subsets in solid tumors.

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