Glycome remodeling programs pathogenic γδ T17 cell responses in autoimmunity

Abstract

Glycans play fundamental roles in T cell biology; however, the glycome landscape of γδ T cells remains to be unlocked. Despite the growing importance of γδ T cells in host defense, tissue homeostasis, and diseases, the glycosylation mechanisms guiding their activation, commitment, and function remain poorly defined. By performing single-cell RNA sequencing, we revealed that type 3/γδ T17/interleukin-17A (IL-17A)–committed γδ T cells rely on (N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase 1) MGAT1–MGAT5–mediated branched N-glycosylation. We further demonstrated that the absence of branched N-glycans on γδ T cells acts as a peripheral signal, driving an IL-17A–pro-inflammatory phenotype, alongside a shift to a Vγ4⁺ subset and the imprinting of innate-like properties. This altered glycoform of type 3 γδ T cells was shown to induce severe psoriasis. γδ T cells from patients with autoimmune and inflammatory diseases exhibited a deficiency in branched N-glycans. Glycan supplementation can reprogram γδ T cells toward a less-pathogenic state, highlighting N-glycans as a previously unrecognized immune checkpoint for γδ T cells.