DENDRITIC EPIDERMAL T-CELLS - LESSONS FROM MICE FOR HUMANS

Dendritic epidermal T cells (DETC) in mice form part of a primitive system of epithelial-resident T cells characterized by the expression of gammadelta T-cell receptors (TCR). Critical attributes that characterize DETC include their highly restricted T-cell receptor gene utilization, proliferation and maturation within epidermis, a capacity to kill relevant skin-derived tumor targets, and the ability to modulate immune responses that are initiated and expressed in skin. Contemporary knowledge suggests that DETC and the related skin-directed gammadeltaT cells found in humans play important roles in maintaining the immunologic integrity of skin.