Search bioRxiv⌕ Search
Home/Archive/bioRxiv

bioRxiv · 10.1101/2025.08.19.671055

Functional γδT-omics pipeline reveals compartmentalization of Vδ1⁺ T cell migration, tumor-reactivity, and clonality in human colorectal cancer

Gatti, L. C. D. E.·Nicolasen, M. J. T.·Keramati, F.·Brazda, P.·Meringa, A. D.·De Bont, D. A.·Aarts-Riemens, T.·Brandwijk, W. J. C.·van der Wijst, M. I. M.·Stuut, A. H. G.·Gasull Celades, L.·Zawal, D.·Vazaios, K.·Daudeij, A.·Huismans, M. A.·Parigiani, M. A.·Straetemans, T.·Beringer, D. X.·Kranenburg, O.·Berlin, C.·Minguet, S.·Kesselring, R.·Stunnenberg, H. G.·Roodhart, J. M. L.·Sebestyen, Z.·Kuball, J.
View original source ↗Export metadata ↓

Abstract

{gamma}{delta}T cells play a pivotal role in cancer immune surveillance, yet the current knowledge of their function across the compartments in solid tumors is meager. To address this gap, we developed a comprehensive {gamma}{delta}T-omics platform that integrates functional screening, biomimetic migration assays, {gamma}{delta}TCR repertoire analysis, and transcriptomic profiling. Using matched samples from 31 patients with microsatellite-stable colorectal cancer (CRC), we analyzed {gamma}{delta}T cells from peripheral blood (PBLs{gamma}{delta}), adjacent colon (LPLs{gamma}{delta}), primary tumors (pTILs{gamma}{delta}), and liver metastases (mTILs{gamma}{delta}). This approach uncovered striking compartmentalization of {gamma}{delta}T cell phenotypes, clonality, and function. Tumor-reactive, clonally expanded V{delta}1 {gamma}{delta}T cells were enriched in primary tumors and shared transcriptional and functional features with lamina propria lymphocytes (LPLs). In contrast, V{delta}1 {gamma}{delta}T cells from liver metastases lacked tumor reactivity, exhibited distinct {gamma}{delta}TCR repertoires, and expressed transcriptional signatures associated with TGF-{beta}-mediated suppression and cellular quiescence, suggesting they are shaped by tissue-specific environmental cues. CXCL16 secretion by tumor cells initiated V{delta}1 LPLs{gamma}{delta} migration, which was further amplified by {gamma}{delta}TCR-mediated CCL5 induction from pTILs{gamma}{delta}, leading to CCR5 downregulation and subsequent entrapment of pTILs{gamma}{delta} within the tumor microenvironment. Accordingly, our clinical data from an independent second cohort of 69 patients showed that infiltration by pTILs{gamma}{delta}, but not mTILs{gamma}{delta}, is associated with a protective effect against CRC progression. In summary, our study offers a compartment-resolved perspective on {gamma}{delta}T cell behavior in CRC, revealing key trafficking and functional mechanisms, and enabling the identification of novel tumor-reactive {gamma}{delta}TCRs and migratory cues to inform immunotherapeutic strategies for both primary and metastatic CRC. Graphical abstract O_FIG O_LINKSMALLFIG WIDTH=200 HEIGHT=179 SRC="FIGDIR/small/671055v1_ufig1.gif" ALT="Figure 1"> View larger version (54K): org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@ff3bborg.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@14a7e1forg.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@19e4de4org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@bc600_HPS_FORMAT_FIGEXP M_FIG C_FIG

Explore related subjects

immunologyPreprint

Keep this discovery

Explore connections, maps & timelines

BibTeXRIS

Gatti, L. C. D. E., Nicolasen, M. J. T., Keramati, F., Brazda, P., Meringa, A. D., De Bont, D. A., Aarts-Riemens, T., Brandwijk, W. J. C., van der Wijst, M. I. M., Stuut, A. H. G., Gasull Celades, L., Zawal, D., Vazaios, K., Daudeij, A., Huismans, M. A., Parigiani, M. A., Straetemans, T., Beringer, D. X., Kranenburg, O., Berlin, C., Minguet, S., Kesselring, R., Stunnenberg, H. G., Roodhart, J. M. L., Sebestyen, Z., Kuball, J.. 2025-08-23. Functional γδT-omics pipeline reveals compartmentalization of Vδ1⁺ T cell migration, tumor-reactivity, and clonality in human colorectal cancer. https://doi.org/10.1101/2025.08.19.671055

Cite the original work for its findings. Save a collection to share your selection of sources.

KEEP EXPLORING

Related preprints

bioRxiv2026

Common viral infections seed regionally distinct resident memory T cells in the human CNS

T cells persist in the central nervous system (CNS) and can drive both protection and neurological disease. How these cells are organized in humans and what they recognize is largely unknown. Here, we profiled CD8 T cells across anatomically distinct CNS regions, obtained through on-site autopsies and temporal lobe resection surgeries, using single-cell RNA sequencing, paired T cell receptor sequencing, and DNA-barcoded tetramers. Resident memory T cells (TRM) specific for Epstein-Barr virus, cytomegalovirus, influenza A, and SARS-CoV-2 were identified across CNS compartments. Anatomical location was the strongest correlate of TRM cell state, with leptomeningeal cells adopting a cytokine-poised TRM program, whereas brain TRM cells were transcriptionally restrained. Cells of the same clonotype spanned tissues yet adopted local transcriptional states. Viral specificity added another layer of TRM heterogeneity with GZMK/GZMA-expressing EBV-specific populations and interferon-stimulated gene signatures in SARS-CoV-2 and Influenza A-specific cells. The human CNS thus harbors regionally distinct CD8+ TRM shaped by common viral exposures.

immunology↗
bioRxiv2026

A regulatory T cell signature provides a shared molecular basis for the therapeutic window of opportunity in rheumatic disease

Rheumatic diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis (RA), spondyloarthritis (SpA) and osteoarthritis (OA), show distinct phenotypes yet respond to overlapping therapies, implicating shared immune mechanisms. In the Transimmunom cohort, we profiled peripheral blood from 240 individuals (47 healthy, 44 OA, 91 RA, 58 SpA) across deep immunophenotyping, immunoproteomics and Treg-Teff transcriptomics. Single-layer analyses revealed broader Treg than Teff remodeling, along with a shared pattern of reduced activated Tregs and expanded Helios+ Tregs across all diseases, alongside a decrease in functional Treg subpopulations, including CTLA4+ and CD45RA- Tregs. In RA specifically, LAG3+ Tregs were also expanded. Combining omics layers outperformed single-layer approaches for disease classification. Among individual layers, Treg transcriptomes were most discriminative, and integration uncovered disease-specific programs. Unsupervised clustering identified a cross-disease cluster independent of activity, treatment and age, mapping to early disease (<= years) and dominated by a Treg dysfunction-associated program. These results provide a biological rationale for the therapeutic "window of opportunity" concept and duration-stratified Treg-directed trials.

immunology↗
bioRxiv2026

Inhibitory Fc Receptor sets a time limit on macrophage response to IgG

Antibodies engage both activating Fc Receptors and the inhibitory receptor Fc{gamma}RIIB. Why macrophages need a dedicated inhibitory receptor rather than simply tuning activating receptor signaling is unclear. Using DNA-based chimeric receptors and in silico modeling, we independently controlled activating and inhibitory Fc Receptors. We found that Fc{gamma}RIIB imposed a time limit on macrophage phagocytosis and ERK signaling. The time limit is due to activating Fc Receptors converting PI(4,5)P2 to PI(3,4,5)P3, which is subsequently converted to PI(3,4)P2 by Fc{gamma}RIIB. This leads to a pulse of active signaling, which is sufficient for phagocytosis of small bacteria-sized targets but not phagocytosis of large targets and TNF secretion. Unlike engaging Fc{gamma}RIIB, reducing activating Fc Receptor signaling decreased initiation of phagocytosis, the speed of PI(3,4,5)P3 generation, and the amplitude of ERK signaling. Our results demonstrate that Fc{gamma}RIIB controls the duration of IgG signaling, while the activating Fc Receptors control sensitivity.

immunology↗