RNA sequencing of gamma-delta T cell subsets from young and old mice

Organismal ageing is associated with loss of immune function and higher incidence of cancer. Whether the ?d T cell pool changes upon organismal ageing is not known. In this study we have characterized ?d T cells in peripheral lymph nodes from old and young mice. We found that the ?d T cell pool is severely altered in old mice. The IL-17 producing ?d lineage becomes dominating while IFN-? producing ?d1 T cells are declining. ?dTCR sequencing revealed no collapse in diversity but oligoclonal expansions in V?4 ?d17 subsets. Pro-tumourigenic invariant V?6 cells are present only in aged lymph nodes, represent the majority of ?d T cells in the tumour, and are associated with faster tumour progression.