γδ T cells are a functionally heterogeneous population and contribute to many early immune responses. The majority of their activity is described in humans and mice, but the immune systems of all jawed vertebrates include the γδ T cell lineage. Although some aspects of γδ T cells vary between species, critical roles in early immune responses are often conserved. Common features of γδ T cells include innate receptor expression, antigen presentation, cytotoxicity, and cytokine production. Herein we compare studies describing these conserved γδ T cell functions and other, potentially unique, functions. γδ T cells are well documented for their potential immunotherapeutic properties; however, these proposed therapies are often focused on human diseases and the mouse models thereof. This review consolidates some of these studies with those in other animals to provide a consensus for the current understanding of γδ T cell function across species.

The risk posed by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus -2 (SARS-CoV-2) dictates that live-virus research is conducted in a biosafety level 3 (BSL3) facility. Working with SARS-CoV-2 at lower biosafety levels can expedite research yet requires the virus to be fully inactivated. In this study, we validated and compared two protocols for inactivating SARS-CoV-2: heat treatment and ultraviolet irradiation. The two methods were optimized to render the virus completely incapable of infection while limiting the destructive effects of inactivation. We observed that 15 min of incubation at 65 °C completely inactivates high titer viral stocks. Complete inactivation was also achieved with minimal amounts of UV power (70,000 µJ/cm²), which is 100-fold less power than comparable studies. Once validated, the two methods were then compared for viral RNA quantification, virion purification, and antibody detection assays. We observed that UV irradiation resulted in a 2-log reduction of detectable genomes compared to heat inactivation. Protein yield following virion enrichment was equivalent for all inactivation conditions, but the quality of resulting viral proteins and virions were differentially impacted depending on inactivation method and time. Here, we outline the strengths and weaknesses of each method so that investigators might choose the one which best meets their research goals.

Solute carrier 11A1 (SLC11A1) is a divalent ion transporter formerly known as the natural resistance–associated macrophage protein (NRAMP1) and the Bcg/Lsh/Ity locus. SLC11A1 was thought to be exclusively expressed in monocyte/macrophages and to have roles in phagosome maturation and cell activation. We characterized the expression of SLC11A1 in the majority of human and bovine γδ T cells and NK cells and in human CD3⁺CD45RO⁺ T cells. Consistent with a role for iron-dependent inhibition of protein tyrosine phosphatases, SLC11A1⁺ lymphocytes were more prone to activation and retained tyrosine phosphorylation. Transfection of SLC11A1 into a human γδ T cell–like line rendered the cells more prone to activation. Nonadherent splenocytes from wild-type mice expressed significantly greater IFN-γ compared with cells from Sv/129 (SLC11A1^−/−) mice. Our data suggest that SLC11A1 has a heretofore unknown role in activation of a large subset of innate lymphocytes that are critical sources of IFN-γ. SLC11A1⁺ animals have enhanced innate IFN-γ expression in response to Salmonella infection compared with SLC11A1⁻ mice, which include commonly used inbred laboratory mice. Expression of SLC11A1 in innate lymphocytes and its role in augmenting their activation may account for inconsistencies in studies of innate lymphocytes in different animal models.

Type I interferons represent a unique and complex group of cytokines, serving many purposes during innate and adaptive immunity. Discovered in the context of viral infections, type I IFNs are now known to have myriad effects in infectious and autoimmune disease settings. Type I IFN signaling during bacterial infections is dependent on many factors including whether the infecting bacterium is intracellular or extracellular, as different signaling pathways are activated. As such, the repercussions of type I IFN induction can positively or negatively impact the disease outcome. This review focuses on type I IFN induction and downstream consequences during infection with the following intracellular bacteria:Chlamydia trachomatis,Listeria monocytogenes,Mycobacterium tuberculosis,Salmonella entericaserovar Typhimurium,Francisella tularensis,Brucella abortus,Legionella pneumophila, andCoxiella burnetii. Intracellular bacterial infections are unique because the bacteria must avoid, circumvent, and even co-opt microbial “sensing” mechanisms in order to reside and replicate within a host cell. Furthermore, life inside a host cell makes intracellular bacteria more difficult to target with antibiotics. Because type I IFNs are important immune effectors, modulating this pathway may improve disease outcomes. But first, it is critical to understand the context-dependent effects of the type I IFN pathway in intracellular bacterial infections.

Coxiella burnetii, the causative agent of Q fever, is an obligate intracellular primarily pulmonary bacterial pathogen. Though much is known about adaptive immune responses against this bacterium, our understanding of innate immune responses against C. burnetii are not well defined, particularly within the target tissue for infection - the lung. Previous studies examined the roles of the innate immune system receptors, TLR2 and TLR4, in peripheral infection models and described minimal phenotypes in specific gene deletion animals compared to their wildtype controls. Here, we assessed the roles for TLR2, TLR4, and MyD88 in pulmonary C. burnetii infection and compared responses to those that occurred in TLR2 and TLR4 deficient animals following peripheral infection. As observed previously, neither TLR2 nor TLR4 were needed for limiting bacterial growth after peripheral infection. In contrast, TLR2 and to a lesser extent TLR4 limited growth (or dissemination) of the bacterium in the lung and spleen after pulmonary infection. TLR2, TLR4, or MyD88 were not required for the general inflammatory response in the lungs after pulmonary infection. However, MyD88 signaling was important for infection-induced morbidity. Finally, TLR2 expression on hematopoietic cells was most important for limiting bacterial growth in the lung. These results expand on our knowledge of the roles for TLR2 and TLR4 in C. burnetii infection and suggest varying roles for these receptors that are dictated by the site of infection.