In vitro evaluation of γδ T cells regulatory function in Behçet’s disease patients and healthy controls

CD8-positive γδ T lymphocytes (GDCD8+) are specifically increased in peripheral blood of Behçet’s disease (BD) patients. GDCD8+ have shown a T regulatory (Treg) function in autoimmune experimental models, human tumor infiltrates and intestinal intraepithelial lymphocytes from celiac patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the Treg function of GDCD8+ and GDCD8−, freshly isolated from peripheral blood, in comparison to CD4+CD25high naturally occurring Treg cells (nTreg) in BD and healthy controls (HC).