Microbiota promote enhanced CD39 expression in γδ intraepithelial lymphocytes through the activation of TCR and IL-15 signaling

Abstract

Intraepithelial lymphocytes expressing the {gamma}{delta} T cell receptor ({gamma}{delta} IEL) provide continuous surveillance of the intestinal epithelium. We report that mice harboring a microbiota-specific hyperproliferative {gamma}{delta} IEL ({gamma}{delta}HYP) phenotype also upregulate the expression of the ectonucleotidase CD39, a marker of regulatory {gamma}{delta} T cells. Enhanced TCR and IL-15 signaling correlates with a progression from a naive-like CD39neg {gamma}{delta} IEL to a more mature, tissue-adapted CD39hi IEL population. We found that TCR{gamma}{delta} activation drives CD122-mediated CD39 upregulation on {gamma}{delta}HYP IELs and increased mucosal IL-15 further amplifies CD39 expression in these cells. Further investigation revealed that CD39 induction requires sustained exposure to the {gamma}{delta}HYP-associated microbiota. Moreover, CD39hi {gamma}{delta} IELs exhibit a reduced capacity to produce pro-inflammatory cytokine, which may explain the lack of histopathology in {gamma}{delta}HYP mice. Overall, our study identifies a previously unappreciated mechanism by which an altered microbiota amplifies CD39 expression on {gamma}{delta}HYP IELs, leading to the expansion of {gamma}{delta} IELs with regulatory potential.