title: Epithelial defence by gamma delta T cells.
abstract: Gamma delta T cells constitute a separate lineage of T lymphocytes which differ from conventional alpha beta T cells with regard to T cell receptor (TCR) repertoire and tissue localization. In murine skin, gamma delta T cells expressing a canonical V gamma5 TCR are abundant and contribute as so-called dendritic epidermal T cells to local immune surveillance. In humans, major subsets of gammadelta T cells are recognized on the basis of their TCR V delta usage. While V delta2 cells dominate in the peripheral blood, V delta1 cells are preferentially localized in mucosal tissue including the intestinal epithelia. In this article we summarize basic features of intraepithelial gamma delta T cells and discuss their possible role in epithelial defence.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Immunology, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel, Kiel, Germany. kabelitz@immunologie.uni-kiel.de
authors.forename: Dieter
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kabelitz
authors.forename: Lothar
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Marischen
authors.forename: Hans-Heinrich
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Oberg
authors.forename: Wolfgang
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Holtmeier
authors.forename: Daniela
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Wesch
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D023181:Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides / Q000276:immunology; D004848:Epithelium / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000276:immunology; D051379:Mice; D016692:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta / Q000276:immunology*; D012867:Skin / Q000276:immunology; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000276:immunology*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D023181:Antimicrobial Cationic Peptides; D016692:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta