活动性结核病患者外周血单个核细胞中结核分枝杆菌抗原特异性多能CD4+和CD8+T淋巴细胞的特征研究

目的 研究活动性结核病患者外周血单个核细胞中结核分枝杆菌抗原特异性多能T淋巴细胞细胞因子的分泌特征.方法 利用γ干扰素释放试验和多色流式细胞术分析了13例活动性结核病患者、11例肺部感染性/肿瘤疾病患者以及14例健康对照者外周血中结核分枝杆菌抗原特异性(ESAT-6和CFP-10)CD4+Th1和CD8+Tc淋巴细胞表达细胞因子IFN-γ、TNF-α和IL-2的情况.结果 与肺部感染性/肿瘤疾病组和健康对照组相比:(1)活动性结核病组具有较低比例的分泌TNF-α+的CD4+Th1细胞、较高比例的分泌IFN-γ+和IFN-γ+TNF-α+IL-2+的CD4+Th1细胞;(2)活动性结核病组具有较高比例的分泌IFN-γ+TNF-α+IL-2+的CD8+Tc细胞.结论 实验结果提示活动性结核病患者中表达IFN-γ+TNF-α+IL-2+的多能CD4+Th1及CD8+Tc细胞,可能在区别活动性结核病与肺部感染性/肿瘤疾病方面具有一定的临床参考价值.     

急性MCMV感染对小鼠脾Th1/Th2/Th17细胞亚群分化的影响

目的:在整体水平观察小鼠巨细胞病毒(MCMV)感染对小鼠脾Th1/Th2/Th17细胞亚群分化及其主要的效应性细胞因子(IFN-γ、IL-4、IL-17A)表达的影响.方法:建立MCMV感染模型,8只BALB/c小鼠分别于接种MCMV Smith株后3天和14天各处死4只;另设8只接种唾液腺匀浆的模拟感染小鼠作为对照.用空斑形成试验测定肝、脾和唾液腺组织病毒滴度;流式细胞术检测脾T淋巴细胞中Th1(CD4+ IFN-γ+)、Th2(CD4+ IL-4+)、Th17(CD4+IL-17A+)细胞比例,双抗体夹心ELISA法检测脾细胞培养上清中病毒特异性IFN-γ、IL-4、IL-17A水平.结果:MCMV感染早期肝、脾和唾液腺组织中病毒呈低水平复制,而感染后14天仅在唾液腺组织呈高水平复制;Th1细胞比例及病毒特异性IFN-γ主要在MCMV感染早期呈显著升高(P ＜0.01);Th2细胞及IL-4均无明显表达及改变;Th17细胞及病毒特异性IL-17A则主要在感染后14天升高(P＜0.05).结论:MCMV感染早期,机体通过上调Th1细胞分化比例及IFN-γ的表达发挥抗病毒效应,而MCMV诱导Th17细胞分化及IL-17A的高表达可能是MCMV感染致宿主特异性细胞免疫功能失调并逃避机体特异性细胞免疫攻击的原因之一.     

抗结核治疗中特异性T细胞免疫反应动态分析及其临床意义

目前,抗结核的化疗方案包括2个月的强化期与4个月的巩固期,而治疗过程中特异性细胞免疫应答随细菌载量改变呈现的动态变化特征有可能成为治疗疗效的生物标志物,并为个性化治疗方案提供理论依据。为此,我们收集了9例活动性结核病患者治疗前,治疗2、4、6个月的外周血样本,采用酶联免疫斑点测定法(enzyme-linked immune spot assay,ELISPOT)测定了不同治疗阶段结核特异性抗原ESAT-6和CFP-10刺激下PBMC中分泌IFN-γ的细胞数量,同时分析了抗原特异性Th1型细胞因子分泌水平以及多功能T细胞比例的动态变化特征。结果显示:随着治疗的深入,ESAT-6及CFP-10刺激患者PBMC后,释放IFN-γ的细胞数量显著下降(P<0.05)。CD4~+IFN-γ~+T淋巴细胞的比例在治疗前与治疗6个月时相比有下降趋势,且治疗后结果具有归一性;虽然多功能T细胞有重要抗结核作用,但在我们统计的患者治疗过程中的变化不明显。以上结果表明抗结核治疗过程中外周淋巴细胞抗原特异性释放IFN-γ的细胞数量与CD4~+IFN-γ~+T淋巴细胞的比例随着患者的病情好转呈现下降趋势,提示抗原特异性细胞免疫应答的动态变化谱与病原菌负荷下降存在密切关系,可能成为抗结核治疗过程中的免疫学标志物。     

抗结核治疗中患者外周结核分枝杆菌抗原水平与特异性免疫应答相关性 分析

目的:活动期结核病患者外周呈现相当水平的结核特异性细胞免疫应答,在治疗过程中也呈现一定的动态变化特征,这种结核特异性细胞免疫应答的抗原驱动因素则还未知。本研究通过同步分析肺结核患者在抗结核治疗过程中外周特异性抗原和抗原特异性T细胞应答水平的动态变化,探讨外周抗结核特异性细胞免疫应答的理论依据。方法:利用外周血抗原富集-质谱鉴定技术动态检测外周血浆中结核特异性抗原CFP-10在患者抗结核治疗过程中含量的动态变化,并采用流式细胞术同步分析CFP-10刺激后的T细胞应答水平,分析CFP-10含量变化与不同细胞因子分泌T细胞数量的相关性。结果:CFP-10抗原水平在患者治疗过程中呈现个体化差异,同时在TB治疗中CFP-10含量与CFP-10特异性IFN-γ~+CD4~+T细胞比例具有显著相关性(P=0.029),但是CFP-10的含量与TNF-α~+CD4~+T细胞比例之间则无相关性(P=0.98)。结论:本研究获得了结核病患者治疗过程中外周结核病原菌抗原的动态变化特征,据此可推断目前所采用的IFN-γ释放实验某种程度上可以反映患者外周结核分枝杆菌抗原的载量,上述基于结核病原学和机体免疫应答水平的同步检测,有利于进一步解析抗结核免疫应答的抗原驱动因素,并为建立新型抗结核治疗疗效评价的生物标志物提供前期理论依据。     

HCV-NS3重组腺病毒转染树突状细胞体内诱导抗原特异性Th1应答的研究

目的:探讨表达丙型肝炎病毒(HCV)非结构蛋白(NS3)基因的重组腺病毒转染树突状细胞体内诱导特异性Th1细胞免疫应答。方法:分离培养小鼠骨髓树突状细胞,制备表达HCV-NS3蛋白的重组腺病毒转染树突状细胞(DC-AdNS3)疫苗,采用流式细胞术和免疫印迹法分析鉴定细胞及抗原蛋白表达。采用腹腔注射途径免疫接种BALB/c小鼠两次,每次间隔10天,3×105细胞/次。末次接种10天后,采用ELISPOT法和ELISA法分别测定脾NS3特异性分泌IFN-γ的T细胞反应以及细胞因子水平。结果:重组腺病毒转染DC可刺激DC成熟,同时可在DC内成功表达NS3蛋白。小鼠两次接种DC-AdNS3产生明显升高的分泌IFN-γ的T细胞反应(P<0·01),脾T细胞悬液内可测得高水平的IL-2和IFN-γ(P<0·01)以及显著降低的IL-10(P<0·05)。结论:DC-AdNS3疫苗可在BALB/c小鼠体内激发产生抗原特异性的Th1细胞免疫应答,为抗HCV感染的疫苗研究提供参考依据。     

抗原85B-6kDa早期分泌靶抗原(Ag85B-ESAT-6)亚单位疫苗黏膜免疫对结核分枝杆菌的免疫应答

目的 评价抗原85B-6kDa早期分泌靶抗原融合蛋白(AE)亚单位疫苗经黏膜免疫小鼠诱导的免疫应答及其对结核分枝杆菌(MTB)感染的保护力。方法 分别用AE、 AE联合环二腺苷酸(c-di-AMP)亚单位疫苗经鼻黏膜免疫小鼠,ELISA检测抗体水平以及1型辅助T(Th1)细胞的细胞因子γ干扰素(IFN-γ)、白细胞介素2(IL-2)和Th2细胞的IL-10分泌水平,实时荧光定量PCR检测IFN-γ、 IL-2、 IL-10和肿瘤坏死因子α(TNF-α)的mRNA水平。MTB静脉感染免疫小鼠,ELISA检测感染小鼠血清抗体及脾细胞细胞因子分泌水平,HE染色分析肺病理改变,平板法计数菌落形成单位(CFU)检测脾和肺荷菌数。结果 AE和AE联合c-di-AMP经鼻黏膜免疫可诱导小鼠产生高水平的特异性抗体,促进脾细胞增殖、脾和肺脏Th1/Th2型细胞因子和TNF-α转录增加、脾Th1/Th2型细胞因子分泌增加。小鼠MTB感染后,与对照组相比,AE和AE联合c-di-AMP免疫小鼠特异性抗体水平仍升高,Th1/Th2型细胞免疫应答增强,肺组织呈炎症反应,肺、脾荷菌数显著降低,且AE联合c-di-...     

108 Th细胞因子在移植免疫中的研究新进展

Th细胞是T细胞的一种重要的细胞亚群，能分泌多种细胞因子，调节机体的免疫应答，在移植免疫中发挥重要作用。根据Th细胞分泌细胞因子种类的不同，可分为Th0、Th1、Th2、Th3 4个细胞亚群。Th0细胞被认为是其它亚群的前体细胞，在一定条件下可分化为Th1、Th2、Th3细胞。Th1细胞主要分泌IL-2、IFN-γ、TNF-α，它主要介导细胞免疫应答。Th2细胞主要产生IL-4、IL-5、IL-6、IL-9、IL-10、IL-13，它主要介导体液免疫，而近来其在免疫诱导与免疫耐受中的作用正在被人们逐渐所认识。Th3细胞主要分泌高水平的TGF-β和IL-1RA，抑制免疫系统功能。本文就这些细胞因子在器官移植排斥反应和诱导免疫耐受方面发挥的重要作用做一综述。     

Galectin-9对CD4＋T细胞亚群Th1／Th2／Th17／Treg免疫平衡的调节作用

目的研究Galectin．9对CD4＋T细胞亚群Th1／Th2／Th17／Treg免疫平衡的调节作用,并进一步探讨可能的作用机制。方法获取野生型C57BIM6小鼠淋巴细胞,利用MACS分选CD4＋naiT细胞,并分别向Th1／Th2／Th17／Treg进行定向分化,培养5d。所有亚群细胞各分为3组：正常对照组、Galectin-9组和Galectin-9＋α-乳糖组。利用流式检测各组亚群细胞的比例,realtime-PCR检测亚群细胞各组转录因子的基因表达水平。结果与正常对照组和Galectin-9＋α乳糖组相比,Galectin．9组Th1细胞和Th17细胞比例下降,Th2无明显变化,Treg细胞表达增加;T-bet和RORγt的基因表达水平均下降,GATA-3无明显变化,Foxp3的基因水平则升高。结论Galectin-9能抑制Th1和Th17细胞的免疫应答反应,对Th2细胞无明显作用,同时能上调Treg细胞免疫应答。     

HIV／AIDS患者体内Th17及Th1应答失衡

目的 探讨HIV/AIDS患者体内Th17、Th1应答情况及Th17与Th1应答之间的相互关系.方法 选取38例符合诊断标准的慢性HIV感染患者,根据抗病毒治疗与否,将其分为2组：治疗前16例,治疗后22例,同时选取24例健康志愿者为对照.采用全血胞内细胞因子染色方法,使用BD FACSCanto流式细胞仪检测各项指标,FACSDiva软件分析CD4^＋IL-17^＋T细胞及CD4^＋IFN-γ^＋T细胞表达情况,将结果进行统计学分析并比较各组之间的差异.结果 未治疗患者CIM^＋IL-17^＋T细胞表达显著低于健康对照（1.14±0.79）%vs（3.98±1.14）%,P=0.000,经抗毒治疗后明显升高（2.22±1.00）%,P=0.001;而CD4^＋IFN-γ^＋T细胞则在治疗前后没有显著变化（34.35±24.38% vs42.10＋15.57%）,与健康人比较亦差异无统计学意义P=0.383;进一步相关性分析表明CD4^＋IL-17^＋T细胞与CD4^＋T细胞计数呈正相关（R=0.345,P=0.034）,而CD4^＋IFN-γ^＋T细胞则与CD4^＋T细胞计数没有明显相关性（R=-0.247,P=0.136）.结论 人体感染HIV病毒以后,机体出现Th17应答显著下调,Th17/Th1平衡紊乱,Th17免疫应答可能在HIV感染致病机制中起着重要作用.     

Th22细胞在炎症免疫性疾病中作用的研究进展

Th22细胞是最近发现的CD4+T细胞功能亚群,表达CCR6、CCR4和CCR10,且分泌IL-22和TNF-α,不分泌IFN-γ、IL-4、IL-17,是独立于Th1、Th2和Th17的细胞亚群。Th22细胞主要参与皮肤的自稳调节和病理状态,可以调控皮肤的固有免疫反应、防御功能及表皮损伤后的修复功能,在炎症性皮肤病的病理生理机制中发挥重要作用。此外,Th22细胞也参与了炎症性肠病、类风湿关节炎、肝炎、试验性自身免疫性心肌炎等炎症免疫性疾病的病理过程。本文对Th22细胞其细胞因子IL-22在炎症免疫性疾病中作用的研究进展做一综述。     

IL-9 is associated with an impaired Th1 immune response in patients with tuberculosis

Although a defective Th1 response has been demonstrated in patients infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), the mechanisms leading to this defect are not well understood. To study the immune response to Mtb infection, we stimulated PBMC from individuals with latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) or patients with tuberculosis (TB) with the Mtb specific antigen early secretory antigenic target-6 (ESAT-6). mRNAs for a panel of cytokines were measured using quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR). PBMC from TB patients exhibited low levels of IFN-gamma, IL-12alpha, IL-12beta, and IL-23 mRNA but high levels of IL-9 mRNA. Sera from TB patients blocked the differentiation and function of dendritic cells from TST negative (TST-) donors. Exogenous IL-9 reduced IFN-gamma mRNA expression in PBMC from LTBI by 30% (n=4) and neutralization of IL-9 restored the IFN-gamma mRNA expression in PBMC from TB patients by 66% (n=8). Thus, increased expression of IL-9 may contribute to the development of TB.     

Impact of inducible co-stimulatory molecule (ICOS) on T-cell responses and protection against Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection

Even though Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) remains one of the top microbial killers, more than 90% of the 2 billion infected individuals never develop active tuberculosis (TB), indicating efficient immune control of infection in these individuals. Immune mechanisms promoting either control or reactivation of TB are incompletely understood. Kinetic analyses of T-cell responses against Mtb in C57BL/6 mice revealed surface expression of inducible co-stimulatory molecule (ICOS) on >30% of all CD4(+) T cells, suggesting a pivotal role of this costimulatory molecule of the CD28 family in TB control. Surprisingly, Mtb-infected ICOS(-/-) mice showed lower bacterial burden during the late chronic stage of infection as compared to WT controls. ICOS deficiency resulted in a reduced Mtb-specific CD8(+) T-cell response during late-stage infection. In contrast, the polyclonal CD4(+) Th1 response against Mtb was increased, most likely caused by diminished numbers and frequencies of Tregs. Thus, by altering effector T-cell populations differentially, ICOS signaling modulates TB control in the late stage of infection.     

IL-23/Th17轴与自身免疫性疾病

既往研究认为,自身免疫性疾病主要是Th1/Th2平衡失调所致,但就Th1细胞亚群的研究结果并不能完全解释自身免疫性疾病的发病机制.Th17细胞是新发现的CD4+辅助性T细胞亚群,IL-23是Th17细胞赖以存在,并维持其稳态及扩增,促进其分泌IL-17的必需细胞因子.目前认为,越来越多的研究表明,IL-23/Th17轴参与了多种自身免疫性疾病的病理过程.     

Rv0315, a novel immunostimulatory antigen of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, activates dendritic cells and drives Th1 immune responses

Tuberculosis (TB) caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) is one of the most deadly infectious diseases, with approximately two million people dying of TB annually. An effective therapeutic method for activating dendritic cells (DCs) and driving Th1 immune responses would improve host defenses and further the development of a TB vaccine. Given the importance of DC maturation in eliciting protective immunity against TB, we investigated whether Rv0315, a newly identified Mtb antigen, can prompt DC maturation. We found that Rv0315 functionally activated DCs by augmenting the expression of the co-stimulatory molecules CD80 and CD86 as well as MHC class I/II molecules. Moreover, it increased DC secretion of the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α. Unlike LPS, however, Rv0315 induced the secretion of IL-12p70, but not IL-10. In addition, Rv0315-treated DCs accelerated the proliferation of CD4(+) and CD8(+) splenic T cells from Mtb-infected mice, with increased levels of IFN-γ, in syngeneic and allogeneic mixed lymphocyte reactions, indicating that Rv0315 contributes to Th1 polarization of the immune response. Importantly, both mitogen-activated protein kinases and nuclear factor κB signaling mediated the expression of DC surface markers and cytokines. Taken together, our results indicate that Rv0315 is a novel DC maturation-inducing antigen that drives T cell immune responses toward Th1 polarization, suggesting that Rv0315 plays a key role in determining the nature of the immune response to TB.     

In vitro cellular immune responses to complex and newly defined recombinant antigens of Mycobacterium tuberculosis

The immunological diagnosis and development of new antituberculosis vaccines require the characterization of Mycobacterium tuberculosis antigens inducing cell-mediated immune responses. In this study, we have tested peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from tuberculosis (TB) patients (n = 43) and Bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG)-vaccinated healthy subjects (n = 24) for in vitro cellular immune responses, as indicated by antigen-induced proliferation and interferon (IFN)-gamma secretion, in response to a panel of complex (culture filtrate and cell wall preparations) and single recombinant antigens (Mtb8.4, Mtb9.8, Mtb9.9, Mtb32A, Mtb39A, Mtb40, Mtb41 and Ag85B) of M. tuberculosis. The results of cellular responses showed that the majority (ranging from 70 to 98%) of TB patients and healthy donors responded to the complex antigens in antigen-induced proliferation and IFN-gamma secretion assays. However, when PBMC from the same groups of patients and healthy donors were tested with the recombinant antigens, TB patients showed strong recognition (>50% responders) of Mtb9.8 and Mtb39A in proliferation assays (median SI = 6.2 and 6.4, respectively) and of Mtb9.8, Mtb39A, Mtb40 and Ag85B in IFN-gamma assays (median delta IFN-gamma= 15.5, 10.8, 7.8 and 8.1 U/ml, respectively). BCG-vaccinated healthy donors showed weak (<30% responders) to moderate (31-50% responders) responses to all of the recombinant antigens in both assays. When PBMC of a subset of TB patients (n = 11) were tested for secretion of protective Th1 cytokines [IFN-gamma, tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha and interleukin (IL)-12] and the immunosuppressive cytokine IL-10, the complex CF and CW antigens as well as the recombinant Mtb9.8, Mtb9.9, Mtb40 and Ag85B induced the secretion of both types of cytokines. On the other hand, Mtb41 induced only IL-10, while Mtb8.4, Mtb32Aand Mtb39A induced the secretion of one or more of Th1 cytokines, but not IL-10. In conclusion, the recombinant antigens inducing the secretion of Th1 cytokines could be useful as subunit vaccine candidates against TB.     

自身免疫性溶血性贫血患者外周血Th1／Th2、Th3／Tr1细胞的检测及意义

目的探讨自身免疫性溶血性贫血（AIHA）患者外周血Th1／Th2、Th3／Tr1细胞状态,分析它们在AIHA发病机制中的作用。方法收集AIHA患者及健康者外周抗凝静脉血,分离纯化淋巴细胞。运用FITC-CD3单抗,Cy5-CD4单抗,PE—CRTH2单抗,以CD3／CD4设门作三色流式细胞术检测Th1／Th2细胞,ELISA法检测血清中Th3细胞相关的细胞因子TGF-β1的含量和Tr1细胞的相关因子IL-10的含量。结果与正常对照相比．AIHA患者外周血CD3^＋CD4^＋CRTH2-T细胞（Th1）百分率、CD3^＋CD4^＋CRTH2^＋T细胞（Th2）百分率均下降（P〈0．05）,而CD4^＋CRTH2^-T／CD4^＋CRTH2^＋T比例（Th1／Th2）均明显升高（P〈0．01）,Th3／Tr1细胞分泌的相关细胞因子TGF-β1和IL-10的含量均降低（P〈0．05）。结论AIHA患者外周血存在细胞免疫功能失调,T细胞亚群极化状态发生改变,呈Th1型细胞优势,Th3／Tr1细胞因子含量下降,可能与AIHA的免疫学发病机制有关。     

Th17细胞介导肿瘤免疫的双向性及其意义

Th17细胞作为众多CD4+辅助性T细胞的一种,其标志性特点是能分泌炎性因子白细胞介素(IL-17)参与炎症反应.随着人们对炎症的深入了解,发现Th17细胞不只是发挥炎性效应,其在肿瘤的发生、发展及抗肿瘤方面也有重要的作用.研究发现,在多种肿瘤中存在Th17细胞及其相关的细胞因子,Th17细胞分泌炎性因子IL-17主动增强相关的抗肿瘤信号通路,调控抗肿瘤免疫应答.另外,固有免疫细胞IL-17+γδT细胞以及IL-17+ Foxp3T细胞不仅分泌IL-17发挥促肿瘤效应,还能协同Th17细胞参与到抗肿瘤免疫反应中,共同调控机体的抗肿瘤免疫反应.因而研究Th17细胞参与肿瘤应答的机制以及与IL-17+γδT细胞和IL-17+ Foxp3T细胞在肿瘤免疫中的相互作用关系具有重要意义.     

Coincident diabetes mellitus modulates Th1‐, Th2‐, and Th17‐cell responses in latent tuberculosis in an IL‐10‐ and TGF‐β‐dependent manner

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) is a risk factor for the development of active tuberculosis (TB), although its role in the TB‐induced responses in latent TB (LTB) is not well understood. Since Th1, Th2, and Th17 responses are important in immunity to LTB, we postulated that coincident DM could alter the function of these CD4⁺ T‐cell subsets. To this end, we examined mycobacteria‐induced immune responses in the whole blood of individuals with LTB‐DM and compared them with responses of individuals without DM (LTB‐NDM). T‐cell responses from LTB‐DM are characterized by diminished frequencies of mono‐ and dual‐functional CD4⁺ Th1, Th2, and Th17 cells at baseline and following stimulation with mycobacterial antigens‐purified protein derivative, early secreted antigen‐6, and culture filtrate protein‐10. This modulation was at least partially dependent on IL‐10 and TGF‐β, since neutralization of either cytokine resulted in significantly increased frequencies of Th1 and Th2 cells but not Th17 cells in LTB‐DM but not LTB individuals. LTB‐DM is therefore characterized by diminished frequencies of Th1, Th2, and Th17 cells, indicating that DM alters the immune response in latent TB leading to a suboptimal induction of protective CD4⁺ T‐cell responses, thereby providing a potential mechanism for increased susceptibility to active disease.     

C-型凝集素家族在Th17细胞免疫反应中的作用

Th17细胞是近年来发现的一群新的细胞亚群,在感染、自身免疫性及肿瘤等疾病中发挥重要作用,是目前研究的热点之一.而C-型凝集素是一类重要的模式识别受体,能调节Th1细胞和Th17细胞间的免疫平衡,识别真菌等多种病原体,在抗感染免疫中具有重要作用.近年来有大量的研究发现,多种C-型凝集素受体参与Th17细胞的分化.因而对其深入研究可明确疾病的发病机制,为疾病的治疗提供了新的思路和靶点.     

Th17‐related cytokines contribute to recall‐like expansion/effector function of HMBPP‐specific Vγ2Vδ2 T cells after Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection or vaccination

Whether cytokines can influence the adaptive immune response by antigen‐specific γδ T cells during infections or vaccinations remains unknown. We previously demonstrated that, during BCG/Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) infections, Th17‐related cytokines markedly upregulated when phosphoantigen‐specific Vγ2Vδ2 T cells expanded. In this study, we examined the involvement of Th17‐related cytokines in the recall‐like responses of Vγ2Vδ2 T cells following Mtb infection or vaccination against TB. Treatment with IL‐17A/IL‐17F or IL‐22 expanded phosphoantigen 4‐hydroxy‐3‐methyl‐but‐enyl pyrophosphate (HMBPP)‐stimulated Vγ2Vδ2 T cells from BCG‐vaccinated macaques but not from naïve animals, and IL‐23 induced greater expansion than the other Th17‐related cytokines. Consistently, Mtb infection of macaques also enhanced the ability of IL‐17/IL‐22 or IL‐23 to expand HMBPP‐stimulated Vγ2Vδ2 T cells. When evaluating IL‐23 signaling as a prototype, we found that HMBPP/IL‐23‐expanded Vγ2Vδ2 T cells from macaques infected with Mtb or vaccinated with BCG or Listeria ΔactA prfA*‐ESAT6/Ag85B produced IL‐17, IL‐22, IL‐2, and IFN‐γ. Interestingly, HMBPP/IL‐23‐induced production of IFN‐γ in turn facilitated IL‐23‐induced expansion of HMBPP‐activated Vγ2Vδ2 T cells. Furthermore, HMBPP/IL‐23‐induced proliferation of Vγ2Vδ2 T cells appeared to require APC contact and involve the conventional and novel protein kinase C signaling pathways. These findings suggest that Th17‐related cytokines can contribute to recall‐like expansion and effector function of Ag‐specific γδ T cells after infection or vaccination.