Granzyme A produced by γ(9)δ(2) T cells induces human macrophages to inhibit growth of an intracellular pathogen.

Human γ(9)δ(2) T cells potently inhibit pathogenic microbes, including intracellular mycobacteria, but the key inhibitory mechanism(s) involved have not been identified. We report a novel mechanism involving the inhibition of intracellular mycobacteria by soluble granzyme A. γ(9)δ(2) T cells produce...

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Main Authors: Charles T Spencer, Getahun Abate, Isaac G Sakala, Mei Xia, Steven M Truscott, Christopher S Eickhoff, Rebecca Linn, Azra Blazevic, Sunil S Metkar, Guangyong Peng, Christopher J Froelich, Daniel F Hoft
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Public Library of Science (PLoS) 2013-01-01
Series:PLoS Pathogens
Online Access:https://journals.plos.org/plospathogens/article/file?id=10.1371/journal.ppat.1003119&type=printable
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author Charles T Spencer
Getahun Abate
Isaac G Sakala
Mei Xia
Steven M Truscott
Christopher S Eickhoff
Rebecca Linn
Azra Blazevic
Sunil S Metkar
Guangyong Peng
Christopher J Froelich
Daniel F Hoft
author_facet Charles T Spencer
Getahun Abate
Isaac G Sakala
Mei Xia
Steven M Truscott
Christopher S Eickhoff
Rebecca Linn
Azra Blazevic
Sunil S Metkar
Guangyong Peng
Christopher J Froelich
Daniel F Hoft
author_sort Charles T Spencer
collection DOAJ
description Human γ(9)δ(2) T cells potently inhibit pathogenic microbes, including intracellular mycobacteria, but the key inhibitory mechanism(s) involved have not been identified. We report a novel mechanism involving the inhibition of intracellular mycobacteria by soluble granzyme A. γ(9)δ(2) T cells produced soluble factors that could pass through 0.45 µm membranes and inhibit intracellular mycobacteria in human monocytes cultured below transwell inserts. Neutralization of TNF-α in co-cultures of infected monocytes and γ(9)δ(2) T cells prevented inhibition, suggesting that TNF-α was the critical inhibitory factor produced by γ(9)δ(2) T cells. However, only siRNA- mediated knockdown of TNF-α in infected monocytes, but not in γ(9)δ(2) T cells, prevented mycobacterial growth inhibition. Investigations of other soluble factors produced by γ(9)δ(2) T cells identified a highly significant correlation between the levels of granzyme A produced and intracellular mycobacterial growth inhibition. Furthermore, purified granzyme A alone induced inhibition of intracellular mycobacteria, while knockdown of granzyme A in γ(9)δ(2) T cell clones blocked their inhibitory effects. The inhibitory mechanism was independent of autophagy, apoptosis, nitric oxide production, type I interferons, Fas/FasL and perforin. These results demonstrate a novel microbial defense mechanism involving granzyme A-mediated triggering of TNF-α production by monocytes leading to intracellular mycobacterial growth suppression. This pathway may provide a protective mechanism relevant for the development of new vaccines and/or immunotherapies for macrophage-resident chronic microbial infections.
format Article
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institution Kabale University
issn 1553-7366
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spelling doaj-art-7e461b845d7349aa8572e4c47139d9822025-08-20T03:25:03ZengPublic Library of Science (PLoS)PLoS Pathogens1553-73661553-73742013-01-0191e100311910.1371/journal.ppat.1003119Granzyme A produced by γ(9)δ(2) T cells induces human macrophages to inhibit growth of an intracellular pathogen.Charles T SpencerGetahun AbateIsaac G SakalaMei XiaSteven M TruscottChristopher S EickhoffRebecca LinnAzra BlazevicSunil S MetkarGuangyong PengChristopher J FroelichDaniel F HoftHuman γ(9)δ(2) T cells potently inhibit pathogenic microbes, including intracellular mycobacteria, but the key inhibitory mechanism(s) involved have not been identified. We report a novel mechanism involving the inhibition of intracellular mycobacteria by soluble granzyme A. γ(9)δ(2) T cells produced soluble factors that could pass through 0.45 µm membranes and inhibit intracellular mycobacteria in human monocytes cultured below transwell inserts. Neutralization of TNF-α in co-cultures of infected monocytes and γ(9)δ(2) T cells prevented inhibition, suggesting that TNF-α was the critical inhibitory factor produced by γ(9)δ(2) T cells. However, only siRNA- mediated knockdown of TNF-α in infected monocytes, but not in γ(9)δ(2) T cells, prevented mycobacterial growth inhibition. Investigations of other soluble factors produced by γ(9)δ(2) T cells identified a highly significant correlation between the levels of granzyme A produced and intracellular mycobacterial growth inhibition. Furthermore, purified granzyme A alone induced inhibition of intracellular mycobacteria, while knockdown of granzyme A in γ(9)δ(2) T cell clones blocked their inhibitory effects. The inhibitory mechanism was independent of autophagy, apoptosis, nitric oxide production, type I interferons, Fas/FasL and perforin. These results demonstrate a novel microbial defense mechanism involving granzyme A-mediated triggering of TNF-α production by monocytes leading to intracellular mycobacterial growth suppression. This pathway may provide a protective mechanism relevant for the development of new vaccines and/or immunotherapies for macrophage-resident chronic microbial infections.https://journals.plos.org/plospathogens/article/file?id=10.1371/journal.ppat.1003119&type=printable
spellingShingle Charles T Spencer
Getahun Abate
Isaac G Sakala
Mei Xia
Steven M Truscott
Christopher S Eickhoff
Rebecca Linn
Azra Blazevic
Sunil S Metkar
Guangyong Peng
Christopher J Froelich
Daniel F Hoft
Granzyme A produced by γ(9)δ(2) T cells induces human macrophages to inhibit growth of an intracellular pathogen.
PLoS Pathogens
title Granzyme A produced by γ(9)δ(2) T cells induces human macrophages to inhibit growth of an intracellular pathogen.
title_full Granzyme A produced by γ(9)δ(2) T cells induces human macrophages to inhibit growth of an intracellular pathogen.
title_fullStr Granzyme A produced by γ(9)δ(2) T cells induces human macrophages to inhibit growth of an intracellular pathogen.
title_full_unstemmed Granzyme A produced by γ(9)δ(2) T cells induces human macrophages to inhibit growth of an intracellular pathogen.
title_short Granzyme A produced by γ(9)δ(2) T cells induces human macrophages to inhibit growth of an intracellular pathogen.
title_sort granzyme a produced by γ 9 δ 2 t cells induces human macrophages to inhibit growth of an intracellular pathogen
url https://journals.plos.org/plospathogens/article/file?id=10.1371/journal.ppat.1003119&type=printable
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