Immunosurveillance and immunoregulation by γδ T cells

Abstract

Whereas the vast majority of T cells express a T-cell receptor (TCR) composed of αβ heterodimers, a smaller population expresses a γδ TCR. In contrast to αβ T cells, γδ T cells show less TCR diversity, are particularly enriched at epithelial surfaces and appear to respond to self-molecules that signal potential danger or cellular stress. In addition, various subsets of γδ T cells have shown antitumor and immunoregulatory activities. This review considers what has been discovered about the important cutaneous functions of γδ T cells through the study of mutant mice and offers perspectives on the roles of γδ T cells in human disease. © 2006 The Society for Investigative Dermatology.