title: Development of γδ T Cells, the Special-Force Soldiers of the Immune System.
abstract: While the functions of αβ T cells in host resistance to pathogen infection are understood in far more detail than those of γδ lineage T cells, γδ T cells perform critical, essential functions during immune responses that cannot be compensated by αβ T cells. Accordingly, it is essential to understand how the development of γδ T cells is controlled so that their generation and function might be manipulated in future for therapeutic benefit. This introductory chapter will cover the basic processes that underlie γδ T cell development in the thymus, as well as the current understanding of how they are controlled.
authors: Blood Cell Development and Function Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, 333 Cottman Avenue, Philadelphia, PA, 19111-2497, USA, david.wiest@fccc.edu.
authors: David L
authors: DL
authors: Wiest
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017951:Antigen Presentation / Q000276:immunology; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D019070:Cell Lineage; D006801:Humans; D007109:Immunity; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D016692:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta / Q000378:metabolism*; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000166:cytology* / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D016692:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta