Abstract
Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer worldwide with nearly 2million cases per year. Immune cells and inflammation are a critical component of colorectal cancer progression, and they are used as reliable prognostic indicators of patient outcome. With the growing appreciation for immunology in colorectal cancer, interest is growing on the role γδ T cells have to play, as they represent one of the most prominent immune cell populations in gut tissue. This group of cells consists of both resident populations-γδ intraepithelial lymphocytes (γδ IELs)-and transient populations that each has unique functions. The homeostatic role of these γδ T cell subsets is to maintain barrier integrity and prevent microorganisms from breaching the mucosal layer, which is accomplished through crosstalk with enterocytes and other immune cells. Recent years have seen a surge in discoveries regarding the regulation of γδ IELs in the intestine and the colon with particular new insights into the butyrophilin family. In this review, we discuss the development, specialities, and functions of γδ T cell subsets during cancer progression. We discuss how these cells may be used to predict patient outcome, as well as how to exploit their behavior for cancer immunotherapy.
Highlights
One of the most prevalent immune cell populations in gut tissue are γδ T cells. γδ T cells represent a collection of diverse subsets with independent phenotypes and functions—some subsets reside in tissue-resident and other subsets circulate in blood
10 | FUTURE PERSPECTIVES AND CONCLUSIONS. Given their prominence in gut tissue, the various subsets of γδ T cells should receive more attention in cancer research to understand their behavior during tumorigenesis and their potential for cancer immunotherapy
The seminal works on the importance of BTN/BTNL proteins in the regulation of γδ T cells and the high homology between mouse and human species open up new avenues for γδ T cell biology in the context of colorectal cancer (CRC)
Summary
One of the most prevalent immune cell populations in gut tissue are γδ T cells. γδ T cells represent a collection of diverse subsets with independent phenotypes and functions—some subsets reside in tissue-resident and other subsets circulate in blood.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
