Current progress in γδ T-cell biology

• Published in: Cellular & molecular immunology 2010-11, Vol.7 (6), p.409-413
• Main Authors: Hao, Jianlei, Wu, Xiaoli, Xia, Siyuan, Li, Zheng, Wen, Ti, Zhao, Na, Wu, Zhenzhou, Wang, Puyue, Zhao, Liqing, Yin, Zhinan
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Antibodies; Antigens - immunology; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Biomedicine; Cell differentiation; Cell interactions; Communicable Diseases - immunology; Communicable Diseases - therapy; Epigenetics; Humans; Immune clearance; Immunity - immunology; Immunology; Immunoregulation; Immunotherapy; Infectious diseases; Interferon; Interleukin 17; Lymphocytes; Lymphocytes T; Malignancy; Medical Microbiology; Microbiology; Neoplasms - immunology; Neoplasms - pathology; Neoplasms - therapy; Progenitor cells; Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta - immunology; Review; Stem cells; T cell receptors; Thymus; Thymus gland; Vaccine
• ISSN: 1672-7681; 2042-0226
• DOI: 10.1038/cmi.2010.50

T lymphocytes bearing γ- and δ-chain T-cell receptor heterodimers are named γδ T cells. Interestingly, γδ and αβ T cells share the same progenitors, and they undergo a fate decision in the thymus. Functional differentiation of γδ T cells occurs both inside and outside the thymus. Antigen recognition of γδ T-cell receptors is very unique, and the responses frequently exhibit innate characteristics. Nevertheless, peripheral γδ T cells exert a number of effector and regulatory functions. γδ T cells rapidly produce cytokines like interferon (IFN)-γ and IL-17 and promote inflammation, partly due to the inherent epigenetic and transcriptional programs, which facilitates a quick and extensive response. Moreover, γδ T cells lyse target cells directly, and this is necessary for pathogen or tumor clearance. γδ T cells can even serve as regulatory cells, and may contribute to immune suppression. Orchestration of γδ T-cell and other immune cell interactions may be critical for host defense and immune regulation. Recently, γδ T cells have been used for immunotherapy for infectious diseases and malignancy. In this review, we summarize the abstracts presented at the recent γδ T cell Conference held from 19 to 21 May 2010, in Kiel, Germany (please see the website for details: http://www.gammadelta-conference.uni-kiel.de/index.html ).