Characteristics of Human Peripheral Blood γδ T Cells Expanded With Zoledronate

Background/Aim: This study aimed to investigate the characteristics of human peripheral blood γδ T cells, which were expanded ex vivo in the presence of zoledronate (ZOL). Materials and Methods: Human peripheral blood cells were cultured with IL-2 and IL-15 in the presence or absence of ZOL, which was added as a phospho-antigen, and their phenotypes were assessed by flow cytometry. Expanded γδ T cells were transduced with CD19 CAR vector, and the cytotoxicity was evaluated in vitro and in vivo by flow cytometry. Results: Ex vivo expansion did not hamper the expression of activating receptors. Interestingly, ZOL promoted the expression of CD226 (DNAM-1), TRAIL, and FAS-L in the Vδ1 subset of γδ T cells. Expanded γδ T cells containing CD19 CAR⁺ γδ T cells removed B cell lymphoma cells effectively in vivo. Conclusion: γδ T cells could be a promising immunotherapeutic for cancer.