Opsonized antigen activates Vδ2+ T cells via CD16/FCγRIIIa in individuals with chronic malaria exposure

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1008997
• Publication Date: 2020-10-21T17:38:33Z
• Authors: Lila A. Farrington; Perri C. Callaway; Hilary M. Vance; Kayla Baskevitch; Emma Lutz; Lakshmi Warrier; Tara I. McIntyre; Rachel Budker; Prasanna Jagannathan; Felistas Nankya; Kenneth Musinguzi; Mayimuna Nalubega; Ester Sikyomu; Kate Naluwu; Emmanuel Arinaitwe; Grant Dorsey; Moses R. Kamya; Margaret E. Feeney
• Keywords: CD16

Vγ9Vδ2 T cells rapidly respond to phosphoantigens produced by Plasmodium falciparum in an innate-like manner, without prior antigen exposure or processing. Vδ2 have been shown inhibit parasite replication vitro and are associated with protection from P. parasitemia vivo. Although a marked expansion of is seen after acute malaria infection naïve individuals, repeated causes decline both frequency malaria-responsiveness, exhibit numerous transcriptional phenotypic changes, including upregulation the Fc receptor CD16. Here we investigate functional role CD16 on immune response malaria. We show that CD16+ possess more cytolytic potential than their CD16- counterparts, bear many hallmarks mature NK cells, KIR expression. Furthermore, demonstrate heavily malaria-exposed individuals able opsonized P.falciparum-infected red blood through CD16, representing second, distinct pathway which may contribute anti-parasite effector functions. This was independent TCR engagement, as demonstrated blockade phosphoantigen presenting molecule Butyrophilin 3A1. Together these results indicate retain capacity for antimalarial function, activation antigen. represents new opsonizing antibodies clearance, emphasizing cooperation between cellular humoral arms system.