Skin gammadelta T-cell functions in homeostasis and wound healing

Immunol Rev. 2007 Feb:215:114-22. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-065X.2006.00483.x.

Abstract

There is a resident population of T cells found in murine skin that expresses an invariant Vgamma3Vdelta1 T-cell receptor (TCR), and these cells are significantly different from lymphoid gammadelta T cells and alphabeta T cells in terms of ontogeny, tissue tropism, and antigen receptor diversity. These dendritic epidermal T cells are derived from fetal thymic precursor cells, are in constant contact with neighboring epidermal cells, and express a monoclonal gammadeltaTCR only found in the skin. Skin gammadelta T cells have been shown to play unique roles in tissue homeostasis and during tissue repair through local secretion of distinct growth factors including keratinocyte growth factors and insulin-like growth factor-1. In this review, we discuss evidence supporting a role for cross talk between skin gammadelta T cells and keratinocytes that contributes to the maintenance of normal skin and wound healing.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Dendritic Cells / cytology
  • Dendritic Cells / immunology
  • Homeostasis / immunology*
  • Humans
  • Keratinocytes / cytology
  • Keratinocytes / immunology
  • Mice
  • Receptor Cross-Talk / immunology
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta / immunology*
  • Skin / cytology*
  • Skin / immunology*
  • T-Lymphocyte Subsets / immunology*
  • Wound Healing / immunology*

Substances

  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, gamma-delta