The early detection and reaction by the immune system to viral infection is fundamental for the subsequent course of infection.
However, the increasing emergence of new viruses, to which human populations have no existing immunity, raises the potential for pandemics posing a threat to global human health that needs to be addressed.ĭuring a viral infection, the successive and functional cooperation of the innate and adaptive immune systems is crucial in order to control the viral load and lead to a successful resolution of disease. Most of these viral infections result in either no disease or mild symptoms, and viral clearance in a matter of days or weeks. It’s estimated that on average, a human being will be infected with about 10 different viral species over a lifetime ( 1), including influenza viruses, coronaviruses, noroviruses and rhinoviruses. Here, we review the known aspects of γδ T cells that make them crucial component of the immune response to viruses, and the ways that their antiviral potential can be harnessed to prevent or treat viral infection. As such, γδ T cells represent an attractive target to stimulate for a rapid and effective resolution of viral infections. In the context of viral infection, a growing body of evidence shows that γδ T cells are particularly equipped for early virus detection, which triggers their subsequent activation, expansion and the fast deployment of antiviral functions such as direct cytotoxic pathways, secretion of cytokines, recruitment and activation of other immune cells and mobilization of a trained immunity memory program. Gamma Delta (γδ) T cells are a subset of T cells with unique features that gives them a key role in the innate immune response to a variety of homeostatic alterations, from cancer to microbial infections. There is remarkable progress in vaccine technology in response to this threat, but their design often overlooks the innate arm of immunity. The emergence of viruses with pandemic potential such as the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus causing COVID-19 poses a global health challenge. George’s University of London, London, United Kingdom
Jonathan Caron, Laura Alice Ridgley and Mark Bodman-Smith *
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