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TCRγδ cells: Mysterious cells of the immune system

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Abstract

γδ cells participate in pathogenic infections and autoimmune conditions, yet, almost a decade after their discovery, little is known regarding their TCR repertoire or effector functions. Unlike MHC-restricted antigen recognition employed by TCRαβ cells, TCRγδ cells can recognize whole unprocessed antigens in an MHC-independent manner. The nature of positive and negative selection used to shape the repertoire of TCRγδ cells is unclear, especially in the nonlymphoid tissues where these cells predominate. While TCRγδ cells express an activated phenotype and are present in pathological conditions, their roles in immunological protection is unknown. This review will focus on our efforts to study these issues of TCRγδ biology.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pathology, Ben May Institute, University of Chicago, Ill., USA

    Roger Sciammas, Y. Tatsumi, A. I. Sperling, K. Arunan & Jeffrey A. Bluestone PhD

  2. Committee on Immunology, University of Chicago, 5841 South Maryland Avenue MC 1089, 60637, Chicago, IL, USA

    Roger Sciammas, Y. Tatsumi, A. I. Sperling, K. Arunan & Jeffrey A. Bluestone PhD

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  1. Roger Sciammas
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  2. Y. Tatsumi
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  3. A. I. Sperling
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  4. K. Arunan
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  5. Jeffrey A. Bluestone PhD
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Sciammas, R., Tatsumi, Y., Sperling, A.I. et al. TCRγδ cells: Mysterious cells of the immune system. Immunol Res 13, 268–279 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02935618

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