γδ T cells in tissue physiology and surveillance

gamma delta T cells are a unique T cell subpopulation that are rare in secondary lymphoid organs but enriched in many peripheral tissues, such as the skin, intestines and lungs. By rapidly producing large amounts of cytokines, gamma delta T cells make key contributions to immune responses in these tissues. In addition to their immune surveillance activities, recent reports have unravelled exciting new roles for gamma delta T cells in steady-state tissue physiology, with functions ranging from the regulation of thermogenesis in adipose tissue to the control of neuronal synaptic plasticity in the central nervous system. Here, we review the roles of gamma delta T cells in tissue homeostasis and in surveillance of infection, aiming to illustrate their major impact on tissue integrity, tissue repair and immune protection. This Review focuses on the roles of gamma delta T cells in tissue homeostasis and immune surveillance. The authors discuss exciting new studies showing how gamma delta T cells can regulate diverse physiological responses in tissues, ranging from thermogenesis in adipose tissue to remodelling at neuronal synapses.

Automated summary

γδT cells, a unique subpopulation of T cells, are rare in secondary lymphoid organs but play key roles in immune responses and tissue homeostasis, with exciting new studies demonstrating their diverse physiological functions in tissues.