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The γδ T cells are intraepidermal dendritic lymphocytes with a limited repertoire of potential activating ligands. Whereas the better-known αβ T cells are associated with adaptive immunity and response to foreign antigens, γδ T cells elicit a more general, less targeted immune response and react mostly to damaged cells. Because they reside in the epidermis and have dendrites, γδ T cells contact many epidermal cells, in effect monitoring their health. Like other members of the innate immune community, γδ T cells provide an early, general host defense while specific, cell-mediated immunity builds.
Like αβ T cells, γδ T cells need to be activated. To shed light on their activation requirements, investigators synthesized monoclonal antibodies to…