γδ T Cells in Epithelial Surveillance and Inflammation: Insights from Organoid Models and Multimodal Analysis
Introduction γδ T cells are a unique subset of T lymphocytes characterized by their expression of a gamma-delta (γδ) T-cell receptor (TCR), in contrast to the conventional alpha-beta (αβ) TCR found on most T cells. Unlike αβ T cells, which are central to adaptive immunity and rely on antigen presentation by MHC molecules, γδ T cells exhibit innate-like properties, responding rapidly to stress signals and microbial patterns without requiring classical antigen presentation. A particularly important aspect of γδ T cell biology is their close interaction with epithelial cells at barrier sites, such as the skin , gastrointestinal tract , respiratory epithelium , and urogenital tract . These cells play a crucial role in epithelial homeostasis, tissue repair , and the regulation of inflammation . Recent advances in organoid technology have provided a physiologically relevant platform to investigate the behavior and function of γδ T cells in controlled three-dimensional (3D) epithelial env...