HMBPP lithium is an intermediate in isoprene biosynthesis, produced by bacteria and protozoa using the non-mevalonate pathway. It serves as a ligand for the inner domain of BTN3A1 and acts as an activator of human Vγ9/Vδ2T cells. Additionally, HMBPP lithium stimulates feeding behavior in mosquitoes.

HMBPP (10 μM) lithium can stimulate feeding behavior in primary mosquito vectors when supplemented with HMBPP-enriched red blood cells. Additionally, HMBPP (10 μM, 12 hours) lithium activates purified human γδ T cells and enhances the production of CD69, intracellular perforin, IFN-γ, and TNF-α when incubated with γδ T cells and GBM cells (U251, U373, and primary GBM cultures).

HMBPP (50 mg/kg, intramuscular injection) combined with IL-2 (subcutaneous injection, 1 million units, once daily for 5 days) induces the sustained accumulation of Vγ2Vδ2 T effector cells in the lungs of cynomolgus monkeys during inhalational Yersinia pestis infection.