Gamma Delta T Cells: Structure and Function

Dear Colleagues,

γδT cells, discovered in the 1980, express T cell receptors (TCR) encoded by the γ and δ genes and together with B and αβ T cells, form the third arm of the adaptive immune system. Unique features of γδ T cells include TCR mediated antigen recognition that is independent of classical major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules, functionality that is often determined intra-thymically prior to antigen exposure, and establishment of early residence in surface epithelial tissues where they help preserve tissue integrity and regulate physiological process. Antigenic recognition by the γδ TCR is incompletely defined but includes recognition of lipids presented by CD1 molecules, MR1, cell surface stress induced molecules and butyrophylins binding intracellular phosphoantigens during oncogenic transformation or intracellular infections. These properties, together with their broad array of functional programs including cytotoxicity, cytokine production and regulatory capabilities, indicate that γδ T cells are a critically important non redundant element of the immune system, but have been far less extensively studied than B cells and αβ T cells. To help bridge this gap in knowledge, this volume termed: “γδ T cells: structure and function” will provide novel insights into the structural and functional properties of γδ T cells. The topics covered in this special issue, which include reviews and research papers, are: (a) antigenic recognition by the γδ TCR (b) γδ T cell functional programs influencing tissue physiology (c) γδ T cell interactions with other immune components (d) mechanisms of involvement of γδ T cells in infectious, autoimmune and malignant diseases (e) use of γδ T cells as immunotherapeutic vehicles. Other topics suggested by contributing authors wishing to share their research in the general area of γδ T cells will also be considered at the editor’s discretion. We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Ilan Bank
Guest Editor

Manuscripts should be submitted via our online editorial system at https://imr.propub.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to start your submission. Manuscripts can be submitted now or up until the deadline. All papers will go through peer-review process. Accepted papers will be published in the journal (as soon as accepted) and meanwhile listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, reviews as well as short communications are preferred. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office to announce on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts will be thoroughly refereed through a double-blind peer-review process. Please visit the Instruction for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) in this open access journal is 2500 USD. Submitted manuscripts should be well formatted in good English.