Background
Immune adaptation with aging is a major of health outcomes. Studies in humans have mainly focus on αβ T cells while γδ T cells have been neglected despite their role in immunosurveillance. We investigated the impact of aging on γδ T cell subsets phenotypes, functions, senescence and their molecular response to stress.
Methods
Peripheral blood of young and old donors in Singapore have been used to assess the phenotype, functional capacity, proliferation capacity and gene expression of the various γδ T cell subsets. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells from apheresis cones and young donors have been used to characterize the telomere length, epigenetics profile and DNA damage response of the various γδ T cell subsets phenotype. Findings: Our data shows that peripheral Vδ2+ phenotype, functional capacity (cytokines, cytotoxicity, proliferation) and gene expression profile are specific when compared against all other αβ and γδ T cells in aging. Hallmarks of senescence including telomere length, epigenetic profile and DNA damage response of Vδ2+ also differs against all other αβ and γδ T cells. Interpretation: Our