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Human γδ T cells: rapid, stable and clonally reactive

Cellular & Molecular Immunology volume 14, pages 646–648 (2017)Cite this article

Gamma delta (γδ) T cells are a unique and conserved population of lymphocytes. They are considered ‘unconventional’ T cells because they represent a relatively small subset of T cells and are defined by the expression of heterodimeric T-cell receptors (TCRs) that are composed of γ and δ chains. Data show that γδ T cells function in many types of immune responses and immunopathologies. They provide protective immune responses against a wide range of pathogens and directly eliminate infected or stressed cells.1, 2 Gamma delta T cells produce various cytokines and chemokines that have the capacity to modulate other immune and non-immune cells.3 They can also facilitate the maturation of dendritic cells and modulate the activation of conventional αβ T cells.4, 5 Although γδ T cells can be protective, they can also be deleterious. For instance, the potent cytotoxicity of γδ T cells and their ability to produce IFN-γ are considered protective against cancer, whereas IL-17-producing γδ T cells are associated with tumors.6 Nevertheless, the combination of conventional adaptive functions that are inherent in their TCRs, as well as their rapid innate-like responses and potential to modulate initial immune responses, makes γδ T cells attractive candidates for immunotherapy.7

In contrast to conventional T cells that express αβ TCR and whose development and function are well characterized, the human γδ T-cell lineage remains enigmatic. This is attributed to their poorly defined antigens, the unconventional mechanisms by which they respond to immunological stimuli as well as the difficulty to track them in vivo. Unlike αβ TCRs, the repertoires of human and murine γδ TCRs were thought to be narrow, individual and stable. It is currently unclear if a narrow TCR repertoire is genetically imprinted or whether it is shaped postnatally. Furthermore, it is uncertain whether human γδ T cells undergo clonal proliferation in response to microbial challenge and if they can provide adaptive immunity.

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  1. Faculty of Dental Medicine, Institute of Dental Sciences, Hebrew University, Jerusalem, 91120, Israel

    Avi-Hai Hovav

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Hovav, AH. Human γδ T cells: rapid, stable and clonally reactive. Cell Mol Immunol 14, 646–648 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1038/cmi.2017.33

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