title: Specificity of gamma delta receptor bearing T cells.
abstract: T cells expressing the gamma delta receptor heterodimer can recognize a broad array of different antigens, including classical and non-classical major histocompatibility complex (MHC) proteins, MHC-like CD1 antigens, and bacterial antigens such as the mycobacterial heat shock proteins and staphylococcal enterotoxins. Reactivity to self antigens including autologous stress proteins implicates TCR gamma delta T cells in autoimmune disease. It is as yet unclear whether the responses of gamma delta T cells specific for soluble proteins are restricted by conventional or non-classical MHC molecules. Correlations of TCR gamma delta usage with specificity suggest that, like TCR alpha beta, sequences encoded within both the V regions and the V(D)J junctions are important in determining receptor specificity.
authors.affiliation: Biological Response Modifiers Program, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD 21702-1201.
authors.forename: L A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Matis
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Bluestone
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000939:Epitopes; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / Q000276:immunology; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / Q000032:analysis*; D016692:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D000939:Epitopes; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell; D016692:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta