Gamma delta T cells (γδ T cells), represent a small subset of
T cells that possess a distinct
T-cell receptor (TCR) on their surface. Most T cells are αβ (alpha beta) T cells with TCR composed of two
glycoprotein chains called α (alpha) and β (beta) TCR chains. In contrast, gamma delta (γδ) T cells have a TCR that is made up of one γ (gamma) chain and one δ (delta) chain. This group of T cells is usually much less common than αβ T cells, but are at their highest abundance in the gut
mucosa, within a population of lymphocytes known as
intraepithelial lymphocytes (IELs).