Gamma-delta T cells are optimal immune cell carrier vehicles for adenovirus vector-based gene therapy

Abstract

Gene therapy is a promising technique for treating malignant tumors. The efficacy of gene therapy with Ad5 is not high although adenovirus type 5 （Ad5） is a common vector, and this may be linked to the low gene transduction rate of Ad5 vectors. The rate of target transduction by Ad has enhanced with the invention of fiber-modified Ad （Ad5/F35）; nevertheless, a carrier system for Ad5/F35-based gene delivery is needed. Therefore, we evaluated the possibility of using γδ T cells, which portray high toxicity against cancer cells, as Ad5/F35 vector transporters. In vitro, γδ T cells were more efficient Ad5/F35 vector transporters than human peripheral blood mononuclear cells and natural killer cells tested. Moreover, they could transport the vector to the tumor site in a subcutaneous prostate cancer model in vivo. We conclude that virus-loaded γδ T-cells may aid systemic cancer virotherapy.