The function of gammadelta T cells in innate immunity

Abstract

Many researchers believe that gammadelta T lymphocytes belong somewhere 'in-between' the innate and adaptive immune systems. Recent studies strongly emphasize the innate features and functions of these cells, including the use of germline elements of the T cell receptor for ligand recognition, segregation into functionally specialized cell populations in correlation with T cell receptor variable gene or protein expression, interactions with cells of the innate system at many levels and, the latest addition, the ability to present antigen. Thus, at present, much evidence suggests that gammadelta T cells function in an innate manner, although they are arguably the most complex and advanced cellular representatives of the innate immune system.