Proposal for the designation of the natural killer antigens-positive γδ T-cell subset as γδ NKT-cells: nomenclature based on immunoprofile

Natural killer T (NKT)-cells with both T- and NK-cell antigens can be classified into alpha beta or gamma delta type according to the TCR gene expression. The WHO classification of lymphoid neoplasms did not further subdivide the above-mentioned NKT-cell malignancies according to the expression of these TCR types. gamma delta T-cells can be stimulated and expanded by Zoledronic acid, usually carrying V gamma 9 V delta 2 TCR and various NK-associated receptors (NKR) such as CD56, CD94, CD158a, CD158b, CD161, etc. In contrast, alpha beta T-type NKT-cells are positive for V alpha 24 V beta 11 TCR. NKR positive gamma delta T-cells have clearly different features than the NKT-cells with V alpha 24 V beta 11 TCR type, alpha beta NKT. NKT-cells carrying gamma delta TCR should be classified and named as gamma delta NKT-cells to distinguish the cells explicitly from alpha beta NKT-cells.

Automated summary

NKT cells can be classified into alpha beta or gamma delta type based on TCR gene expression. WHO did not further subdivide NKT-cell malignancies based on TCR types. Gamma delta T-cells, stimulated by Zoledronic acid, have distinct features compared to alpha beta NKT-cells, and should be classified as gamma delta NKT-cells to differentiate them clearly.