Evidence for a role of γδ T cells in demyelinating diseases as determined by activation states and responses to lipid antigens

In this report we review current information on the phenotypic and functional properties of γδ T cells in demyelinating disorders. The results support the conclusion that although γδ T cells show evidence of activation in patients with either multiple sclerosis (MS) or Guillain Barre syndrome (GBS), differences exist in the phenotypic and functional properties of these cells between the two diseases. In particular, our data indicate that in patients with MS the Vδ2 subset is activated and that these cells can be induced to secrete high levels of proinflammatory cytokines. In contrast, in patients with GBS, the Vδ1 subset is expanded and can be induced to secrete cytokines more associated with a humoral response. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V.