The Roles of γδ T Cells in Host Defense Against Microbial Infection

DOI HANDLE Web Site Open Access
  • Yoshikai Yasunobu
    Division of Host Defense, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University

Bibliographic Information

Other Title
  • 生体防御は個体発生を繰り返す : γδ型T細胞と感染防御
  • セイタイ ボウギョ ワ コタイ ハッセイ オ クリカエス : gdガタ Tサイボウ ト カンセン ボウギョ

Search this article

Abstract

In the thymus, two types of T cells develop : γδ T cell receptor (TCR)-positive cells, which develop from the CD4^-CD8^- double-negative (DN) stage, whereas cell populations that enter the CD4^+CD8^+ double-positive (DP) stage become αβ T cells. Unlike conventional αβ T cells, which are exported from the thymus as naïve cells and acquire effector functions upon encountering antigen in the periphery, γδ T cells are functionally committed to forming effector cells that produce inflammatory cytokines such as interferon (IFN)-g and interleukin (IL)-17 and mount cytotoxic responses upon activation within the thymus and are disproportionately distributed within mucosal epithelia such as reproductive tracks, intestine and skin. These features allow γδ T cells to respond to antigens quickly without clonal expansion and function as the first line of host defense against microbial infection. Thereby I call the γδ T cells “primitive T cells”. I propose, a hypothesis “hose defense recapitulates ontogeny” on the basis of research on the γδ T cells as primitive T cells and challenge the conventional immunological paradigm to be sub-classified into innate and adaptive immunity.

Journal

  • 福岡醫學雜誌

    福岡醫學雜誌 108 (10/11), 230-236, 2017-11-25

    Fukuoka Medical Association

Keywords

Details 詳細情報について

Report a problem

Back to top