Premium
γδ T‐cell receptors: functional correlations
Author(s) -
O’Brien Rebecca L.,
Roark Christina L.,
Jin Niyun,
Kemal Aydintug M.,
French Jena D.,
Chain Jennifer L.,
Wands J. M.,
Johnston Molly,
Born Willi K.
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
immunological reviews
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 6.839
H-Index - 223
eISSN - 1600-065X
pISSN - 0105-2896
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-065x.2006.00477.x
Subject(s) - t cell receptor , biology , receptor , complementarity determining region , t cell , complementarity (molecular biology) , functional diversity , computational biology , function (biology) , gene , microbiology and biotechnology , genetics , immune system , peptide sequence , ecology
Summary: The γδ T‐cell receptors (TCRs) are limited in their diversity, suggesting that their natural ligands may be few in number. Ligands for γδTCRs that have thus far been determined are predominantly of host rather than foreign origin. Correlations have been noted between the Vγ and/or Vδ genes a γδ T cell expresses and its functional role. The reason for these correlations is not yet known, but several different mechanisms are conceivable. One possibility is that interactions between particular TCR‐V domains and ligands determine function or functional development. However, a recent study showed that at least for one ligand, receptor specificity is determined by the complementarity‐determining region 3 (CDR3) component of the TCR‐δ chain, regardless of the Vγ and/or Vδ. To determine what is required in the TCR for other specificities and to test whether recognition of certain ligands is connected to cell function, more γδTCR ligands must be defined. The use of recombinant soluble versions of γδTCRs appears to be a promising approach to finding new ligands, and recent results using this method are reviewed.