摘要
Phenotypic and functional heterogeneity are the hallmarks of effector and memory T cells. Upon antigen stimulation, y T cells differentiate into two major types of memory T cells： central memory cells, which patrol the blood and secondary lymphoid organs, and effector memory cells, which migrate to peripheral tissues, y T cells display in vitroa certain degree of plasticity in their function that is reminiscent of that which is observed in conventional CD4 T cells. Similar to CD4 T cells, in which a plethora of specialized subsets affect the host response, y8 T cells may readily and rapidly assume distinct Thl-, Th2-, Th17-, TFH and T regulatory-like effector functions, suggesting that they profoundly influence cell-mediated and humoral immune responses. In addition to differences in cytokine repertoire, y~ T cells exhibit diversity in homing, such as migration to lymph node follicles, to help B cells versus migration to inflamed tissues. Here, we review our current understanding of y T-cell lineage heterogeneity and flexibility, with an emphasis on the human system, and propose a classification of effector y T cells based on distinct functional phenotypes.
Phenotypic and functional heterogeneity are the hallmarks of effector and memory T cells. Upon antigen stimulation, y T cells differentiate into two major types of memory T cells： central memory cells, which patrol the blood and secondary lymphoid organs, and effector memory cells, which migrate to peripheral tissues, y T cells display in vitroa certain degree of plasticity in their function that is reminiscent of that which is observed in conventional CD4 T cells. Similar to CD4 T cells, in which a plethora of specialized subsets affect the host response, y8 T cells may readily and rapidly assume distinct Thl-, Th2-, Th17-, TFH and T regulatory-like effector functions, suggesting that they profoundly influence cell-mediated and humoral immune responses. In addition to differences in cytokine repertoire, y~ T cells exhibit diversity in homing, such as migration to lymph node follicles, to help B cells versus migration to inflamed tissues. Here, we review our current understanding of y T-cell lineage heterogeneity and flexibility, with an emphasis on the human system, and propose a classification of effector y T cells based on distinct functional phenotypes.
