Journal
CELLULAR & MOLECULAR IMMUNOLOGY
Volume 10, Issue 1, Pages 30-34Publisher
CHIN SOCIETY IMMUNOLOGY
DOI: 10.1038/cmi.2012.42
Keywords
cytokines; effector and memory cells; gamma delta T cells; lineage-specifying factors; T-cell subsets
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Funding
- Ministry of University and Research (MIUR)
- Ministry of Health 'Ricerca Finalizzata'
- University of Palermo
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Phenotypic and functional heterogeneity are the hallmarks of effector and memory T cells. Upon antigen stimulation, gamma delta T cells differentiate into two major types of memory T cells: central memory cells, which patrol the blood and secondary lymphoid organs, and effector memory cells, which migrate to peripheral tissues. gamma delta T cells display in vitro a certain degree of plasticity in their function that is reminiscent of that which is observed in conventional CD4 T cells. Similar to CD4 T cells, in which a plethora of specialized subsets affect the host response, gamma delta T cells may readily and rapidly assume distinct Th1-, Th2-, Th17-, T-FH and T regulatory-like effector functions, suggesting that they profoundly influence cell-mediated and humoral immune responses. In addition to differences in cytokine repertoire, gamma delta T cells exhibit diversity in homing, such as migration to lymph node follicles, to help B cells versus migration to inflamed tissues. Here, we review our current understanding of gamma delta T-cell lineage heterogeneity and flexibility, with an emphasis on the human system, and propose a classification of effector gamma delta T cells based on distinct functional phenotypes. Cellular & Molecular Immunology (2013) 10, 30-34; doi:10.1038/cmi.2012.42; published online 22 October 2012
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