Gamma Delta (γδ)‎ T Cells and Their Involvement in Behçet’s Disease

Abstract EN

Behçet’s disease (BD) is a multisystem inflammatory disorder characterized by orogenital ulcerations, ocular manifestations, arthritis, and vasculitis.

The disease follows a relapsing-remitting course and its pathogenesis is unknown.

Genetic predisposition and immune-dysregulation involving gamma delta (γδ) T cells are reported to have a role.

γδ T cells are atypical T cells, which represent a small proportion of total lymphocytes.

They have features of both innate and adaptive immunity and express characteristics of conventional T cells, natural killer cells, and myeloid antigen presenting cells.

These unconventional T cells are found in the inflammatory BD lesions and have been suggested to be responsible for inducing and/or maintaining the proinflammatory environment characteristic of the disease.

Over the last 20 years there has been much interest in the role of γδ T cells in BD.

We review the literature and discuss the roles that γδ T cells may play in BD pathogenesis.