Review for 10.1186/s12876-021-01722-8 (2021)

Reviewer’s report
Title: 
Increased V
δ
1 
γδ
T cells Predominantly Contributed to IL-17 Production
in the Development of Adult Human Post-infectious Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Version: 
3 
Date: 
22 Jan 2021
Reviewer's report:
In the manuscript Increased V
δ
1 
γδ
T cells Predominantly Contributed 1 to IL-17
Production
in the Development of Adult Human Post-infectious Irritable Bowel Syndrome
by LW Dong et al. the authors aimed 
to investigate further on the functionally
predominant subset of gd T cells producing IL-17 and its role in post-infectious
irritable bowel diseas (PI-IBS).
The main results are that V
δ
1 gd T cells significantly increased while V
δ
2 gd T
cells remained unchanged in both the peripheral blood and local colonic tissue
from PI-IBS patients (P<0.05). 2. When cultured in vitro, the V
δ
1 gd T cells
remarkably proliferated, activated and produced IL-17. The authors conclude
that V
δ
1 gd T cells was the predominant gd T cells subset in both peripheral and
intestinal tissue, and was the major IL-17 producing
gd T cells in PI-IBS.
The focus on the betadelta T cell located in the barrier site in GI tract most likely
a pivotal role in the immunotolerance as these cells can easily be activated by
homing to the intestinal epithelium and interact with microbiota- a relative new
knowledge with still many unresolved questions including the role of IL17, IFN
among other cytokines. 
This is also a follow-up study from the research group
showed that the heath shock protein 70 the 
γδ
 T cells' phenotype and function
during PI-IBS in a mouse model. Therefore, the aim of this study is highly
justified..
In general, the study is well designed appropriate methods used, original data are
presented and valid conclusions are made.
I have the following area of concerns
1. In the introduction there is a lack of a condensed review of PI-IBS with focus
on pathophysiological mechanisms with reference to new review articles-as a
low grade chronic inflammatory condition. Moreover, also some background on
IL-17 and the relevance in IBS- there are also some references in PI-IBS
2. The PI-IBS group should be better characterized. Microbiology tests. Was the
histological examination of colon biopsies- normal without any inflammatory
cells? What GI diagnosis were excluded with ordinary examinations (celiac
disease etc). What type of IBS (diarrhoea, constipation? both?). 
3. The healthy volunteers should be better characterized. Sex, age, GI
symptoms? Any immunological diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis. Was a
colonoscopy with histological examinations done to exclude any disease? 
4. Statistics. Students' t-tests were used- were data normal distributed?
5. What commercial ELISA was used? Data on detection limits etc of. IFN
γ
 and
IL-17. Were all samples > detection limit? This is often a problem using ELISA
methods in measurement of cytokines. 
6. In the Discussion, there is a lack of strength and weakness of the study 
Conclusion
The manuscript has a good scientific value with appropriate methods used, but
improvements have to be done before valid conclusions can be made.
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Is the study design appropriate to answer the research question (including the use
of appropriate controls), and are the conclusions supported by the evidence
presented?
No
Are the methods sufficiently described to allow the study to be repeated?
Yes
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Yes
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No
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from apparent manipulation?
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