Evaluation of γδ T cells in autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease

We investigated alterations in peripheral adaptive immune cell subsets, particularly γδ T cells, in patients with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD). Fifty patients with ADPKD at different chronic kidney disease (CKD) stages and 12 healthy volunteers were enrolled. Peripheral blood T-cell subsets were analyzed by flow cytometry. Conventional CD4+, CD8+, and TCRγδ+ T cells were evaluated for frequency and cytokine production. Mean age of ADPKD patients was 48.3 ± 13.2 years. 31 patients (62%) had rapid disease progression. Total CD3+ T cell proportion did not differ, whereas the proportion of CD3+TCRγδ+ T cells was significantly lower (p = 0.012) in ADPKD patients (6.1% to 12.9% across CKD stages) than in healthy controls (15.1%). The proportion of CD3+TCRγδ+ T cells correlated positively with height-adjusted total kidney volume (p = 0.017) and inversely with eGFR (p = 0.006). Across CKD stages, significant differences were observed in cytokine production by T-cell subsets; including IFNγ, IL17A, TNFα, perforin, granzyme B. In rapid progression group, the proportions of CD8+ T cells (p = 0.025) and TCRγδ+ T cells (p = 0.001) were significantly higher, whereas the proportion of CD4+ T cells (p = 0.016) was significantly lower. Furthermore, among the evaluated T-cell variables, the frequency of CD3+TCRγδ + T cells was independently associated with rapid progression status (OR 1.182; 95% CI, 1.011–1.383; p = 0.036). Patients with ADPKD exhibit altered distribution and functional profiles of peripheral T-cell subsets, particularly reduced proportions of circulating of CD3+TCRγδ+ T cells and changes in cytokine production.