Differentiation and functional plasticity of gamma-delta (γδ) T cells under homeostatic and disease conditions

Shilpi Giri1, Girdhari Lal1

  • 1National Centre for Cell Science, NCCS Complex, SP Pune University Campus, Ganeshkhind, Pune, MH-411007, India.

Molecular Immunology
|June 19, 2021
PubMed

Gamma-delta (γδ) T cells are a heterogeneous population of immune cells, which constitute <5% of total T cells in mice lymphoid tissue and human peripheral blood. However, they comprise a higher proportion of T cells in the epithelial and mucosal barrier, where they perform immune functions, help in tissue repair, and maintaining homeostasis. These tissues resident γδ T cells possess properties of innate and adaptive immune cells which enables them to perform a variety of functions during homeostasis and disease. Emerging data suggest the involvement of γδ T cells during transplant rejection and survival. Interestingly, several functions of γδ T cells can be modulated through their interaction with other immune cells. This review provides an overview of development, differentiation plasticity into regulatory and effector phenotypes of γδ T cells during homeostasis and various diseases.

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