Editorial: Recent advances in gamma/delta T cell biology: new ligands, new functions, and new translational perspectives

Since their discovery in the mid-1980s, interest in the immunological significance of gamma delta T cells has been subject to oscillations. The initial excitement over the unexpected discovery of a second T cell receptor (TCR) was followed by years of uncertainty as to the biological importance of these ambivalent T cells. Major breakthroughs led to the identification of specific and unique antigens for the gamma delta TCR and accumulating evidence now shows that gamma delta T cells play a major role in local immunosurveillance, thereby controlling tumorigenesis. Since 2004, biannual international gamma delta T cell conferences are held to bring together experts in basic and clinical gamma delta T cell research. To make accessible and synthesize the body of knowledge that has been put together, to date, we have organized a Research Topic on gamma delta T cells consisting of a collection of original articles and focused reviews written by leading experts in the field. The idea of this Research Focus was to present the current status and hot topics as well as clinical perspectives on gamma delta T cell research.