title: Diversity of γδ T-cell antigens.
abstract: In the last two decades, it has become clear that γδ T cells recognize a diverse array of antigens including self and foreign, large and small, and peptidic and non-peptidic molecules. In this respect, γδ antigens as a whole resemble more the antigens recognized by antibodies than those recognized by αβ T cells. Because of this antigenic diversity, no single mechanism-such as the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) restriction of αβ T cells-is likely to provide a basis for all observed T-cell antigen receptor (TCR)-dependent γδ T-cell responses. Furthermore, available evidence suggests that many individual γδ T cells are poly-specific, probably using different modes of ligand recognition in their responses to unrelated antigens. While posing a unique challenge in the maintenance of self-tolerance, this broad reactivity pattern might enable multiple overlapping uses of γδ T-cell populations, and thus generate a more efficient immune response.
authors.affiliation: Integrated Department of Immunology, National Jewish Health, Denver, CO 80206, USA. bornw@njhealth.org
authors.forename: Willi K
authors.initials: WK
authors.lastname: Born
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kemal Aydintug
authors.forename: Rebecca L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: O'Brien
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017951:Antigen Presentation; D000941:Antigens / Q000276:immunology; D006649:Histocompatibility Antigens / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D016693:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta / Q000276:immunology; D016692:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D000941:Antigens; D006649:Histocompatibility Antigens; D016693:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta; D016692:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta