In the absence of a TCR signal IL-2/IL-12/18-stimulated γδ t cells demonstrate potent anti-tumoral function through direct killing and senescence induction in cancer cells

Abstract

Abundant IFN-γ secretion, potent cytotoxicity, and major histocompatibility complex-independent targeting of a large spectrum of tumors make γδ T cells attractive candidates for cancer immunotherapy. Upon tumor recognition through the T-cell receptor (TCR), NK-receptors, or NKG2D, γδ T cells generate the pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IFN-γ, or granzymes and perforin that mediate cellular apoptosis. Despite these favorable potentials, most clinical trials testing the adoptive transfer of pharmacologically TCR-targeted and expanded γδ T cells resulted in a limited response. Recently, the TCR-independent activation of γδ T cells was identified. However, the modulation of γδ T cell’s effector functions solely by cytokines remains to be elucidated. In the present study, we systematically analyzed the impact of IL-2, IL-12, and IL-18 in parallel with TCR stimulation on proliferation, cytokine production, and anti-tumor activity of γδ T cells. Our results demonstrate that IL-12 and IL-18, when combined, constitute the most potent stimulus to enhance anti-tumor activity and induce proliferation and IFN-γ production by γδ T cells in the absence of TCR signaling. Intriguingly, stimulation with IL-12 and IL-18 without TCR stimulus induces a comparable degree of anti-tumor activity in γδ T cells to TCR crosslinking by killing tumor cells and driving cancer cells into senescence. These findings approve the use of IL-12/IL-18-stimulated γδ T cells for adoptive cell therapy to boost anti-tumor activity by γδ T cells.