gamma delta cells: A right time and a right place for a conserved third way of protection

TY - JOUR

T1 - gamma delta cells: A right time and a right place for a conserved third way of protection

AU - Hayday, A C

PY - 2000

Y1 - 2000

N2 - The tripartite subdivision of lymphocytes into B cells, alpha beta T cells, and gamma delta cells has been conserved seemingly since the emergence of jawed vertebrates, more than 450 million years ago. Yet, while we understand much about B cells and alpha beta T cells, we lack a compelling explanation for the evolutionary conservation of gamma delta cells. Such an explanation may soon be forthcoming as advances in unraveling the biochemistry of gamma delta cell interactions are reconciled with the abnormal phenotypes of gamma delta-deficient mice and with the striking differences in gamma delta cell activities in different strains and species. In this review, the properties of gamma delta cells form a basis for understanding gamma delta cell interactions with antigens and other cells that in turn form a basis for understanding immunoprotective and regulatory functions of gamma delta cells in vivo. We conclude by considering which gamma delta cell functions may be most critical.

AB - The tripartite subdivision of lymphocytes into B cells, alpha beta T cells, and gamma delta cells has been conserved seemingly since the emergence of jawed vertebrates, more than 450 million years ago. Yet, while we understand much about B cells and alpha beta T cells, we lack a compelling explanation for the evolutionary conservation of gamma delta cells. Such an explanation may soon be forthcoming as advances in unraveling the biochemistry of gamma delta cell interactions are reconciled with the abnormal phenotypes of gamma delta-deficient mice and with the striking differences in gamma delta cell activities in different strains and species. In this review, the properties of gamma delta cells form a basis for understanding gamma delta cell interactions with antigens and other cells that in turn form a basis for understanding immunoprotective and regulatory functions of gamma delta cells in vivo. We conclude by considering which gamma delta cell functions may be most critical.

M3 - Literature review

VL - 18

SP - 975

EP - 1026

JO - Annual Review of Immunology

JF - Annual Review of Immunology

ER -