γδ T cells in homeostasis and host defence of epithelial barrier tissues

MM Nielsen, DA Witherden, WL Havran - Nature Reviews Immunology, 2017 - nature.com
MM Nielsen, DA Witherden, WL Havran
Nature Reviews Immunology, 2017nature.com
Epithelial surfaces line the body and provide a crucial interface between the body and the
external environment. Tissue-resident epithelial γδ T cells represent a major T cell
population in the epithelial tissues and are ideally positioned to carry out barrier surveillance
and aid in tissue homeostasis and repair. In this Review, we focus on the intraepithelial γδ T
cell compartment of the two largest epithelial tissues in the body—namely, the epidermis
and the intestine—and provide a comprehensive overview of the crucial contributions of …
Abstract
Epithelial surfaces line the body and provide a crucial interface between the body and the external environment. Tissue-resident epithelial γδ T cells represent a major T cell population in the epithelial tissues and are ideally positioned to carry out barrier surveillance and aid in tissue homeostasis and repair. In this Review, we focus on the intraepithelial γδ T cell compartment of the two largest epithelial tissues in the body — namely, the epidermis and the intestine — and provide a comprehensive overview of the crucial contributions of intraepithelial γδ T cells to tissue integrity and repair, host homeostasis and protection in the context of the symbiotic relationship with the microbiome and during pathogen clearance. Finally, we describe epithelium-specific butyrophilin-like molecules and briefly review their emerging role in selectively shaping and regulating epidermal and intestinal γδ T cell repertoires.
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