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T cells are integral to our adaptive immune system, recognizing and effectively responding to foreign antigens. T cell activation and clonal selection are pivotal in orchestrating this immune response. This article elucidates these mechanisms, detailing the roles of cluster of differentiation (CD) markers, major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules, costimulatory signals, and the process of clonal selection.
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Back to the future--defining NK cells and T cells.

Lewis L Lanier1

  • 1Department of Microbiology and Immunology and the Cancer Research Institute, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143-0414, USA. lewis.lanier@ucsf.edu

European Journal of Immunology
|May 25, 2007
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Summary

Gammadelta T cells express Natural Killer cell receptors, blurring the lines between T and NK cells. This study reveals shared features, complicating the distinction between these immune cell types.

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Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Natural Killer (NK) cells and T cells are crucial immune lymphocytes.
  • Distinguishing between NK cells and T cell subsets can be challenging due to overlapping markers.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the expression of NK cell receptors on gammadelta T cells.
  • To explore the presence of TCRdelta transcripts in NK cells.
  • To clarify the relationship and discrimination between gammadelta T cells and NK cells.

Main Methods:

  • Flow cytometry analysis of immune cell populations.
  • Molecular analysis of T cell receptor (TCR) gene expression.
  • Immunophenotyping of lymphocytes.

Main Results:

  • A subset of gammadelta T cells was identified expressing a broad range of NK cell receptors.
  • Non-rearranged germline TCRdelta transcripts were detected in conventional NK cells.
  • Significant overlap in receptor expression profiles between gammadelta T cells and NK cells was observed.

Conclusions:

  • Gammadelta T cells share characteristics with NK cells, particularly in receptor repertoire.
  • The presence of TCRdelta transcripts in NK cells further challenges lineage classification.
  • These findings necessitate a re-evaluation of the distinct identities and discrimination methods for these immune cell lineages.