Conserved Gamma Delta T Cell Selection by BTNL Proteins Limits Progression of Human Inflammatory Bowel Disease

    September 2023 in “ Science ”
    Robin Dart, Iva Zlatareva, Pierre Vantourout, Efstathios Theodoridis, Ariella Amar, Shichina Kannambath, Philip East, Timothy Recaldin, John Mansfield, Christopher A Lamb, Miles Parkes, Peter M. Irving, Natalie J. Prescott, Adrian Hayday
    TLDR BTNL proteins help control inflammatory bowel disease by maintaining specific immune cells.
    The study explores the interaction between γδ T cells and butyrophilin-like (BTNL) proteins in the human colon, analyzing samples from over 150 individuals. It identifies Vγ4+ γδ T cells that interact with BTNL3 and BTNL8 proteins, which help maintain intestinal homeostasis in healthy individuals. In Crohn’s disease patients, a genetic mutation causing a defective BTNL3:BTNL8 fusion protein is linked to more severe disease. The research suggests that restoring γδ T cell function could aid tissue repair and serve as a prognostic biomarker for IBD remission, highlighting potential therapeutic strategies targeting γδ T cell activity to manage IBD.
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