Accumulating evidence suggests that γδ T cells play roles in host immune responses to inflammations/damages, tumors and infections. Recent studies have demonstrated that roles of γδ T cells can be quite broad or diverse. In this special issue, seven review articles discuss recent progress conceiving the diverse immunologic roles in γδ T cells.
Born et al.1 summarize experimental findings implicating that γδ T cells recognize a diverse array of antigens including self and foreign, large and small, and peptidic and non-peptidic molecules. In parallel, Kalyan and Kabelitz2 discuss unique and empathetic aspects of γδ T cells in terms of antigen recognition, immune response and effector function. Caccamo et al.3 present recent observations suggesting that human γδ T cells can evolve into multiple T helper-like effector functions, with plasticity feature. While Fournié et al.4 identify recently gained information regarding human γδ T cell-targeted clinical trials for immunotherapy against late-stage cancers, Li et al.5 summarize results in studies of γδ T cells in HIV-infected humans. Tu's group6 outlines anti-infection potential of γδ T cells. Finally, Chen7 reviews recent publications suggesting multifunctional immune responses and effector functions of phosphoantigen-specific γδ T cells in tuberculosis and other infections in humans and nonhuman primates.
These reviews are comprehensive and up-to-date, supporting the view that γδ T cells play broad immunological roles in host responses. The in-depth discussions also provide provocative speculations and hypotheses that will facilitate future studies of γδ T cells.
References
Born WK, Aydintug MK, O'Brien RL . Diversity of γδ T-cell antigens. Cell Mol Immunol 2012; 10: 13–20.
Kalyan S, Kabelitz D . Defining the nature of human γδ T cells: a biographical sketch of the highly empathetic. Cell Mol Immunol 2012; 10: 21–29.
Caccamo N, Todaro M, Sireci G, Meraviglia S, Stassi G, Dieli F . Mechanisms underlying lineage commitment and plasticity of human γδ T cells. Cell Mol Immunol 2012; 10: 30–34.
Fournie JJ, Sicard H, Poupot M, Bezombes C, Blanc A, Romagne F et al. What lessons can be learned from γδ T cell-based cancer immunotherapy trials? Cell Mol Immunol 2012; 10: 35–41.
Li HS, Chaudry S, Poonia B, Shao YM, Pauza CD . Depletion and dysfunction of Vγ2Vδ2 T cells in HIV disease: mechanisms, impacts and therapeutic implications. Cell Mol Immunol 2012; 10: 42–49.
Zheng J, Liu YP, Lau YL, Tu WW . γδ-T cells: an unpolished sword in human anti-infection immunity. Cell Mol Immunol 2012; 10: 50–57.
Chen ZW . Multifunctional immune responses of HMBPP-specific Vγ2Vδ2 T cells in M. tuberculosis and other infections. Cell Mol Immunol 2012; 10: 58–64.
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Chen, Z. Diverse immunological roles of γδ T cells. Cell Mol Immunol 10, 1 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1038/cmi.2012.73
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/cmi.2012.73