Heat shock proteins as antigens for gamma delta T cells.

Recently, there have been a number of reports that gamma delta T cells are stimulated by heat shock, or stress, proteins. Although some alpha beta T cells are capable of recognizing heat shock proteins, we speculate that most or a group of gamma delta cells generally recognize this type of antigen. Recognition of heat shock proteins would enable gamma delta cells to respond to autologous tissue, and perhaps thus eliminate those cells that exhibit signs of stress, due for example to intracellular infection or transformation.