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.