Expert talk examines gamma-delta T cells and TCRs in innate-like surveillance of cancer

An ImmuneZoom expert lecture (55 minutes) discussed non-classical roles of gamma-delta T cells and T cell receptors in innate-like immunity, including lymph node stress surveillance that detects subtle cellular changes that can precede cancer. The talk drew on evolutionary comparisons across vertebrates and jawless fish VLR systems, asking why energetically costly diversified antigen receptor generation has been retained. Tumor experiments showed mice lacking gamma-delta T cells develop more papillomas and carcinomas after induction, pointing to a role in epithelial tumor surveillance.