Metabolic and Functional Study of γδ T Cells in Critically Ill Patients

Sponsor
Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology
Study ID
NCT07680816
Status
Not Yet Recruiting

Notify me when recruiting opens

Save your spot on the interest list for this study. We'll keep your details with this study so our team can follow up when recruiting opens.

Not yet recruiting

Add your contact details and location so we can keep your interest tied to this study.

Conditions

  • Critical Illness
  • Dysbiosis
  • Immunosuppression
  • MODS
  • Mitochondrial Diseases
  • Sepsis
  • γδ T Cells

Eligibility Criteria

Sex
ALL
Age
18 Years - 80 Years
Healthy Volunteers
Accepted

Study Details

This prospective observational cohort study investigates the subset-specific metabolic adaptation and functional remodeling of cytotoxic γδT cells in critically ill patients with and without sepsis. Emerging evidence indicates that γδT cells, as a bridge between innate and adaptive immunity, play a critical role in early anti-infection defense during sepsis. However, the functional status and underlying regulatory mechanisms of cytotoxic γδT cells in septic patients remain incompletely understood. Our preliminary single-cell transcriptomic analysis revealed that cytotoxic γδT cells from septic patients exhibit significant alterations in cytotoxicity-associated molecules (GZMB, PRF1, GNLY) and mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) pathway genes, particularly COX6C, which correlates with cytotoxic effector molecule expression. This study aims to systematically characterize the proportion, cytotoxicity, and mitochondrial metabolic function of circulating cytotoxic γδT cells across three cohorts: healthy controls, critically ill non-septic patients, and critically ill septic patients. By integrating flow cytometry, mitochondrial function assays, and functional validation experiments, we seek to elucidate the role of COX6C-mediated mitochondrial metabolic abnormalities in cytotoxic γδT cell dysfunction, providing theoretical basis for understanding immune dysregulation in sepsis and identifying novel therapeutic targets.

Key Dates

First listed
Jul 2, 2026
Start date
Jul 15, 2026
Status verified
Jul 2026
Primary completion
Apr 15, 2027
Completion
Jul 15, 2027

Study Design

Enrollment
105 participants (estimated)

Arms

  • Arm: Healthy Controls (NHCs)
    Healthy volunteers without acute or chronic major diseases, aged ≥18 years, who have provided written informed consent. Participants undergo a single blood draw and rectal swab collection.
  • Arm: Critically Ill Non-Septic Patients (CI-NS)
    Patients admitted to the ICU meeting the criteria for critical illness but without sepsis, as determined by the Sepsis-3 criteria (infection with ΔSOFA ≥ 2 points excluded). Participants are aged ≥18 years, with informed consent obtained from the patient or legally authorized representative. Blood and rectal swab samples are collected at three time points: within 24 hours of ICU admission (D0), Day 2 (D2), and Day 7 (D7). Clinical follow-up extends to 90 days.
  • Arm: Critically Ill Septic Patients (CI-Sep)
    Patients admitted to the ICU meeting the Sepsis-3 criteria (infection with ΔSOFA ≥ 2 points). Participants are aged ≥18 years, with informed consent obtained from the patient or legally authorized representative. Blood and rectal swab samples are collected at three time points: within 24 hours of ICU admission (D0), Day 2 (D2), and Day 7 (D7). Clinical follow-up extends to 90 days.

Primary Outcome Measure

Change in the Proportion of Cytotoxic γδT Cells (TCRγδ⁺GZMB⁺PRF1⁺GNLY⁺) Among Total γδT Cells [ Time Frame: Day 2 post-ICU admission ]

Related Studies