Abstract
Gamma-delta (γδ) T cells are the bridge between natural and adaptive immunity. In the present study, peripheral blood was collected from 13 patients with advanced schistosomiasis (schistosomiasis group) and 13 uninfected people (control group) to investigate the γδ T cells and their subtypes in human schistosomiasis. Compared with the control group, the proportion of Vδ1 cells and CD27(+) Vδ1(+) cells in the schistosomiasis group increased significantly, while CD27(-) cells and CD27(-) Vδ1(-) cells decreased. Only the level of IL-17A differed between the groups, being significantly decreased in the schistosomiasis group. In the schistosomiasis group, there were no correlations between the liver fibrosis and subsets of γδ T cells, or the level of cytokines. Additionally, the level of IL-17A correlated positively with the proportion of CD27(-) Vδ1(-) cells. Thus, there was a higher frequency of circulating Vδ1 γδT cells in patients with advanced schistosomiasis. The decreased IL-17A might be related to the reduction in CD27(-) Vδ1(-) cell.