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A multilayered immune system through the lens of unconventional T cells

Author

Listed:
  • Toufic Mayassi

    (Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard
    University of Chicago)

  • Luis B. Barreiro

    (University of Chicago
    and Systems Biology, University of Chicago
    Department of Medicine, University of Chicago)

  • Jamie Rossjohn

    (Monash University
    Monash University
    Cardiff University, School of Medicine, Heath Park)

  • Bana Jabri

    (University of Chicago
    University of Chicago
    University of Chicago
    University of Chicago)

Abstract

The unconventional T cell compartment encompasses a variety of cell subsets that straddle the line between innate and adaptive immunity, often reside at mucosal surfaces and can recognize a wide range of non-polymorphic ligands. Recent advances have highlighted the role of unconventional T cells in tissue homeostasis and disease. In this Review, we recast unconventional T cell subsets according to the class of ligand that they recognize; their expression of semi-invariant or diverse T cell receptors; the structural features that underlie ligand recognition; their acquisition of effector functions in the thymus or periphery; and their distinct functional properties. Unconventional T cells follow specific selection rules and are poised to recognize self or evolutionarily conserved microbial antigens. We discuss these features from an evolutionary perspective to provide insights into the development and function of unconventional T cells. Finally, we elaborate on the functional redundancy of unconventional T cells and their relationship to subsets of innate and adaptive lymphoid cells, and propose that the unconventional T cell compartment has a critical role in our survival by expanding and complementing the role of the conventional T cell compartment in protective immunity, tissue healing and barrier function.

Suggested Citation

  • Toufic Mayassi & Luis B. Barreiro & Jamie Rossjohn & Bana Jabri, 2021. "A multilayered immune system through the lens of unconventional T cells," Nature, Nature, vol. 595(7868), pages 501-510, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:595:y:2021:i:7868:d:10.1038_s41586-021-03578-0
    DOI: 10.1038/s41586-021-03578-0
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    Cited by:

    1. Jeremy Anderson & Samira Imran & Hannah R. Frost & Kristy I. Azzopardi & Sedigheh Jalali & Boris Novakovic & Joshua Osowicki & Andrew C. Steer & Paul V. Licciardi & Daniel G. Pellicci, 2022. "Immune signature of acute pharyngitis in a Streptococcus pyogenes human challenge trial," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 13(1), pages 1-9, December.
    2. Andrew Gibson & Ramesh Ram & Rama Gangula & Yueran Li & Eric Mukherjee & Amy M. Palubinsky & Chelsea N. Campbell & Michael Thorne & Katherine C. Konvinse & Phuti Choshi & Pooja Deshpande & Sarah Pedre, 2024. "Multiomic single-cell sequencing defines tissue-specific responses in Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic epidermal necrolysis," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-16, December.

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