IL-17A-producing γδ T cells control pulmonary Mycobacterium abscessus infection in mice.

IL-17A-producing γδ T cells are essential for controlling pulmonary Mycobacterium abscessus infection in mice by directly eliminating extracellular bacteria.

• Why it matters: The specific role of γδ T cells in non-tuberculous mycobacteria infections is incompletely understood, especially when IFNγ-dependent immunity is compromised.
• What they did: The authors characterized pulmonary immune landscapes in a Mycobacterium abscessus-infected NTM mouse model and tested IL-17A+ γδ T cell requirements, including granzyme B-dependent cytotoxicity and Toll-like receptor 2–driven macrophage IL-1β/IL-23.
• The result: IL-17A+ γδ T cells conferred protective immunity in two mouse infection models with pulmonary fibrosis or impaired IFNγ-mediated immunity, and IL-17A absence impaired bacterial recognition and cytotoxic function.

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