Deficiency of TAM receptor family increases γδT cell population by promoting chemokine-induced gut homing

Abstract

Intestinal intraepithelial lymphocytes (IELs) are a various community of lymphoid cells located in between the intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) that configure the intestinal mucosal barrier. The epithelial γδT cells act as a major T cell population in epithelia, which is support in tissue homeostasis and repair. However, we found that the γδT cell population was strikingly increased in IELs in TAM receptor-deficient mice. Based on these data, we tested whether this receptor acts as a crucial regulator, which may generate better homing to the intestinal epithelium. We also tested that adoptive transfer of γδT cells to show γδT cell homing to the intestinal epithelium. Our study shows that a key factor in γδT cell homing into the intestinal epithelium, to maintain homeostasis.