Our immune system protects us from diseases and T cells play a key role in this defense. T cells use a special protein called the "T Cell Receptor" to tell the difference between healthy and sick cells. One important type of T cell, called “gamma delta T cells”, helps protect us from infections and cancer and keeps our tissues healthy.
However, the genes that make the T Cell Receptor of gamma delta T cells can change, creating different versions known as "mutations." Some of these mutations may prevent the cells from working properly. Despite their importance, these mutations have not been well-studied because the DNA regions that make these genes are very complex. This lack of knowledge limits our understanding of how these cells function and what goes wrong when they don't.
Our study addresses this gap. We have developed new methods to precisely and efficiently identify these gene mutations in gamma delta T cells. By sequencing specific parts of the genome, we can find new versions of these genes and test whether they function as they should. If we find versions that do not work correctly, we will explore whether these faulty genes are more common in people with certain diseases.
The findings could have a big impact. By working with NIHR BioResource participants, we aim to study the diversity of these genes in the UK population and discover links to diseases, opening doors to new ways of diagnosing, treating, and even preventing diseases linked to these critical immune cells.
