Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is the primary developmental pathway NKT cells follow before diverging during the DP stage?
What is the primary developmental pathway NKT cells follow before diverging during the DP stage?
Which receptor engagement can enhance the activation of NKT cells in addition to TCR engagement?
Which receptor engagement can enhance the activation of NKT cells in addition to TCR engagement?
What is a key effector function of activated NKT cells?
What is a key effector function of activated NKT cells?
What type of molecules do NKT cell TCRs typically recognize?
What type of molecules do NKT cell TCRs typically recognize?
Signup and view all the answers
Which statement best describes the nature of cytokines produced by NKT cells?
Which statement best describes the nature of cytokines produced by NKT cells?
Signup and view all the answers
What is a primary characteristic that distinguishes gd T cells from ab T cells in terms of their development?
What is a primary characteristic that distinguishes gd T cells from ab T cells in terms of their development?
Signup and view all the answers
During which stage of development do gd T cells start to be detected in humans?
During which stage of development do gd T cells start to be detected in humans?
Signup and view all the answers
What is one function of cytokines produced by gd T cell effectors?
What is one function of cytokines produced by gd T cell effectors?
Signup and view all the answers
Which type of cell do gd T cells NOT appear to have immunological memory?
Which type of cell do gd T cells NOT appear to have immunological memory?
Signup and view all the answers
What role do fetal thymic stromal cells play in gd T cell development?
What role do fetal thymic stromal cells play in gd T cell development?
Signup and view all the answers
How do NKT cells differ from typical CTL and NK cells after activation?
How do NKT cells differ from typical CTL and NK cells after activation?
Signup and view all the answers
Which statement correctly describes the thymic selection processes for gd T cells?
Which statement correctly describes the thymic selection processes for gd T cells?
Signup and view all the answers
What function does nitric oxide (NO) have in relation to activated gd T cells?
What function does nitric oxide (NO) have in relation to activated gd T cells?
Signup and view all the answers
Which cells do NKT cells share characteristics with?
Which cells do NKT cells share characteristics with?
Signup and view all the answers
What is one of the key additional roles of gd T cells beyond cytokine production?
What is one of the key additional roles of gd T cells beyond cytokine production?
Signup and view all the answers
What is a significant characteristic of gd T cells compared to ab T cells in their recognition of antigens?
What is a significant characteristic of gd T cells compared to ab T cells in their recognition of antigens?
Signup and view all the answers
In which anatomical locations are gd T cells predominantly found?
In which anatomical locations are gd T cells predominantly found?
Signup and view all the answers
How do gd T cells differ in activation response compared to conventional ab T cells?
How do gd T cells differ in activation response compared to conventional ab T cells?
Signup and view all the answers
What type of TCR structure do gd T cells express?
What type of TCR structure do gd T cells express?
Signup and view all the answers
What is one reason gd T cells are critical in host defense?
What is one reason gd T cells are critical in host defense?
Signup and view all the answers
What type of factors do activated gd T cells secrete to stimulate epithelial cell activity?
What type of factors do activated gd T cells secrete to stimulate epithelial cell activity?
Signup and view all the answers
Which cell types are influenced by the cytokines produced by gd T cell effectors?
Which cell types are influenced by the cytokines produced by gd T cell effectors?
Signup and view all the answers
What is not a feature of gd T cells according to their function?
What is not a feature of gd T cells according to their function?
Signup and view all the answers
Which developmental stage do gd T cells reach during human embryonic development?
Which developmental stage do gd T cells reach during human embryonic development?
Signup and view all the answers
What population of T cells is generated from the same precursor as gd T cells?
What population of T cells is generated from the same precursor as gd T cells?
Signup and view all the answers
Which of the following best describes the activation of NKT cells?
Which of the following best describes the activation of NKT cells?
Signup and view all the answers
What role do fetal thymic stromal cells play in the development of gd T cells?
What role do fetal thymic stromal cells play in the development of gd T cells?
Signup and view all the answers
What type of antigens can gd TCRs bind directly, without the need for presentation by other molecules?
What type of antigens can gd TCRs bind directly, without the need for presentation by other molecules?
Signup and view all the answers
Which statement accurately describes a characteristic of gd TCRs compared to ab TCRs?
Which statement accurately describes a characteristic of gd TCRs compared to ab TCRs?
Signup and view all the answers
Which types of molecules do some gd T cell subsets specifically respond to in terms of stress?
Which types of molecules do some gd T cell subsets specifically respond to in terms of stress?
Signup and view all the answers
How do the activation processes of gd T cells in peripheral tissues typically differ from those in epidermal and intestinal tissues?
How do the activation processes of gd T cells in peripheral tissues typically differ from those in epidermal and intestinal tissues?
Signup and view all the answers
What role do antigen-presenting cells (APCs) play in the activation of gd T cells during inflammation?
What role do antigen-presenting cells (APCs) play in the activation of gd T cells during inflammation?
Signup and view all the answers
What is a shared characteristic between some gd T cells and natural killer (NK) cells regarding regulation?
What is a shared characteristic between some gd T cells and natural killer (NK) cells regarding regulation?
Signup and view all the answers
Which of the following types of molecules are NOT known to be recognized by gd T cells?
Which of the following types of molecules are NOT known to be recognized by gd T cells?
Signup and view all the answers
Which statement best describes the specificity of certain gd T cell subsets?
Which statement best describes the specificity of certain gd T cell subsets?
Signup and view all the answers
What cytokine does activated gd T cells induce epithelial cells to produce?
What cytokine does activated gd T cells induce epithelial cells to produce?
Signup and view all the answers
Which growth factor is secreted by activated gd T cells to aid in wound healing?
Which growth factor is secreted by activated gd T cells to aid in wound healing?
Signup and view all the answers
What differentiates gd T cells from ab T cells in their development origin?
What differentiates gd T cells from ab T cells in their development origin?
Signup and view all the answers
Which statement accurately describes the relationship between gd T cells and immunological memory?
Which statement accurately describes the relationship between gd T cells and immunological memory?
Signup and view all the answers
What is a known influence of cytokines produced by gd T cell effectors on other immune cells?
What is a known influence of cytokines produced by gd T cell effectors on other immune cells?
Signup and view all the answers
During what gestational period are gd TCRgd genes detected in thymocytes of humans?
During what gestational period are gd TCRgd genes detected in thymocytes of humans?
Signup and view all the answers
Which type of signaling pathway differs between gd T cells and ab T cells upon TCR stimulation?
Which type of signaling pathway differs between gd T cells and ab T cells upon TCR stimulation?
Signup and view all the answers
Which type of TCRs are predominantly found on intestinal gd T cells?
Which type of TCRs are predominantly found on intestinal gd T cells?
Signup and view all the answers
What is a key difference between gd TCRs and ab TCRs in terms of antigen recognition?
What is a key difference between gd TCRs and ab TCRs in terms of antigen recognition?
Signup and view all the answers
Which of the following molecules are recognized by some gd T cell subsets specific to stress?
Which of the following molecules are recognized by some gd T cell subsets specific to stress?
Signup and view all the answers
How do gd T cells differ in their activation in peripheral tissues compared to epidermal and intestinal tissues?
How do gd T cells differ in their activation in peripheral tissues compared to epidermal and intestinal tissues?
Signup and view all the answers
Which role do antigen-presenting cells (APCs) play in the activation of gd T cells during inflammation?
Which role do antigen-presenting cells (APCs) play in the activation of gd T cells during inflammation?
Signup and view all the answers
Which of the following molecules are NOT typically recognized by gd T cells?
Which of the following molecules are NOT typically recognized by gd T cells?
Signup and view all the answers
What characteristic of gd T cell subsets defined by V segment usage allows them to target specific types of pathogens?
What characteristic of gd T cell subsets defined by V segment usage allows them to target specific types of pathogens?
Signup and view all the answers
What mechanism do some gd T cells use for activation that differs from conventional ab T cell activation?
What mechanism do some gd T cells use for activation that differs from conventional ab T cell activation?
Signup and view all the answers
Which statement correctly describes a major function of gd T cells in host defense?
Which statement correctly describes a major function of gd T cells in host defense?
Signup and view all the answers
What anatomical location is NOT commonly associated with high concentrations of gd T cells?
What anatomical location is NOT commonly associated with high concentrations of gd T cells?
Signup and view all the answers
Which of the following accurately describes the nature of gd T cell TCRs?
Which of the following accurately describes the nature of gd T cell TCRs?
Signup and view all the answers
What is a characteristic response of gd T cells upon activation compared to ab T cells?
What is a characteristic response of gd T cells upon activation compared to ab T cells?
Signup and view all the answers
Which broad category of antigens can gd T cells recognize that is usually not addressed by ab T cells?
Which broad category of antigens can gd T cells recognize that is usually not addressed by ab T cells?
Signup and view all the answers
Study Notes
γδ T Cells: Overview
- γδ T cells are a minority in humans and mice but a majority in ruminants (cows, sheep, pigs).
- They express TCRs composed of TCRγ and TCRδ chains plus the CD3 complex.
- They have either homodimeric CD8αα coreceptors or no coreceptor; thus, they are referred to as double-negative peripheral T cells.
γδ T Cells: Overview
- γδ TCRs interact with ligands similarly as pattern recognition receptors (PRRs).
- They can respond to antigens from various pathogens or stressed host cells.
- Direct recognition means they do not require MHC or peptide Ag processing by APCs.
- Intact proteins, peptides, lipids, and phosphorylated nucleotides can all be TCRγδ ligands. They can be soluble or bound to a cell surface.
- Some stress molecules are recognized by γδ T cells but not by other cells like macrophages or neutrophils, filling a role in host defense.
- γδ T cells proliferate and differentiate into γδ Th (helper) and γδ CTL (cytotoxic-like) effectors, like αβ T cells.
- Activation is usually faster, with smaller numbers and often occurs without typical costimulation.
γδ Τ Cells: Anatomical Distribution
- The distribution is different from αβ T cells.
- They are found in small numbers in secondary lymphoid tissues and the thymus.
- They are interspersed with epithelial cells in the skin (SALT) and mucosal tissues (MALT).
- This means they are at the forefront of initial contact with pathogens or injurious substances.
- Unlike αβ T cells, γδ T cells are often resident in a particular tissue type. They show a "canonical" TCR containing specific V gene segments.
γδ T Cells: Ag Recognition and Activation
- γδ TCRs can directly bind to low-molecular-weight non-peptide antigens.
- Some non-peptide antigens may be presented by non-classical MHC class Ib molecules (or CD1).
- γδ TCRs are generally less specific than αβ TCRs and can broadly cross-react with various antigens.
γδ T Cells: Ag Recognition and Activation
- γδ T cells respond to various bacterial, protozoan, and viral molecules, like peptides, proteins, pyrophosphates, phospholipids, lipoproteins, phosphorylated oligonucleotides, alkyl amines.
- Specific subsets can recognize or target particular pathogen determinants.
- γδ T cells can recognize stress molecules that are only prevalent in cells experiencing injury, infection, or cancerous transformation.
- This broad recognition capability allows γδ T cells to respond to a wide range of threats.
- Some stress molecules are small pyrophosphate-like molecules while others are peptides or whole proteins released from necrotic cells.
γδ T Cells: Ag Recognition and Activation
- γδ T cell activation may resemble NK cell activation as some γδ cells express NK cell inhibitory receptors (for MHC class I).
- Certain γδ T cells can be activated by phosphorylated metabolites, independent of CD28 or CD40 costimulation.
- In peripheral tissues, γδ T cells tend to use conventional CD28 costimulation. In the skin and intestines, costimulation may involve other receptors engaged by stress ligands.
- APCs can help activate cells in inflamed tissue by providing cytokines or unknown intercellular signals.
γδ T Cells: Effector Functions
- γδ T cell effectors are similar to αβ T cell effectors, although the signaling pathways differ.
- γδ T cells, following activation, release cytokines that can activate NK cells and macrophages, cause the differentiation of αβ T helper cells (Th1, Th2, or Th17), and affect isotype switching in B cells.
- They produce molecules that affect leukocyte trafficking and wound healing.
- Some activated γδ T cells can cause neighboring epithelial cells to produce nitric oxide (an antimicrobial).
- Activated γδ T cells produce keratinocyte growth factor (KGF) to stimulate skin repair.
- Immunological memory is not a feature of γδ T cells.
- Recent studies suggest γδ T cells can act as antigen-presenting cells (APCs) for αβ T cells.
NKT Cells: Overview
- NKT cells are T lineage cells with morphology and function characteristics similar to CTLs and NK cells.
- They are found in low numbers throughout various tissues including the peripheral blood, spleen, liver, thymus, bone marrow, and lymph nodes.
- Immediately upon activation, they secrete cytokines.
- Their rapid response makes them important as a first line of defense against viral and bacterial infections.
- Their produced cytokines affect the differentiation and function of αβ T cells.
NKT Cells: Ag Recognition and Activation
- NKT cells recognize glycolipids, glycosphingolipids, and lipids presented by non-polymorphic CD1d molecules on professional and non-professional APCs.
- NKT cells have a "semi-invariant" TCRαβ in which the TCRα chain is generally invariant; the TCRβ chain shows diversity.
NKT Cells: Ag Recognition and Activation
- Several pathogens and host-derived glycolipids function as NKT cell antigens.
- Activation of NKT cells recognizing CD1d-restricted glycolipids is direct, requiring no costimulation and cytokine receptor engagement.
- Microbes lacking those lipids can still activate NKT cells through indirect pathways.
- Sometimes TCR engagement alone is insufficient; IL-12/IL-18 or IFNα/β receptor engagement may be necessary.
NKT Cells: Activation (Figures)
- Visual representations of activation, using panels of diagrams and arrows, displaying activation based on pathogen glycolipid, host glycolipid interactions, etc.
NKT Cells: Effector Functions
- The characteristics of activated NKT cells align with innate-immunity cells.
- NKT cells carry out effector functions immediately without differentiation and their main function is cytokine and chemokine secretion.
NKT Cells: Development
- NKT cells are part of the adaptive immune system but share characteristics with innate cells.
- They develop from the same NK/T precursors that produce αβ and γδ T cells.
- Their development follows the αβ T cell pathway but diverges at the double positive (DP) stage.
- IL-15 triggers continued maturation once they are positively selected from thymus non-hematopoietic cells.
Next Lecture
- The next chapter is about mucosal and cutaneous immunity.
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
Related Documents
Description
This quiz explores the unique characteristics and functions of γδ T cells in humans, mice, and ruminants. It covers their T-cell receptor composition, their ability to recognize antigens without MHC, and their role in host defense. Test your knowledge on this important component of the immune system.