The Professional Antigen-presentation Function of γδ T Cells

Abstract: γδ T cells， in accordance with different combinations of their γ/δ chains， can be figured out into a number of subtypes， and display different biological characteristics because of their heterogeneity. Initially， γδ T cells were recognized their function in innate immunity. However， many research publications in 1980's and 1990's found that γδ T cells also played an important role in adaptive immunity. Recently， γδ T cells with the features of the professional antigen-presenting cells， not only presented a large amount of phenotype molecules， but also were able to induce the differentiation and proliferation of naive αβ T cells and contribute to the responses of B cells， which has become a hot spot in the field. In addition， much more focus or attention is given to the functional role of γδ T cells about their secretion of IL-17， IFN-γ and other inflammation related molecules in infection immunity， autoimmunity and tumor immunity.

CSTR: 32200.14.cjcb.2009.03.0008