• HOME
  • NEWS
  • EXPLORE
    • CAREER
      • Companies
      • Jobs
    • EVENTS
    • iGEM
      • News
      • Team
    • PHOTOS
    • VIDEO
    • WIKI
  • BLOG
  • COMMUNITY
    • FACEBOOK
    • INSTAGRAM
    • TWITTER
Saturday, August 2, 2025
BIOENGINEER.ORG
No Result
View All Result
  • Login
  • HOME
  • NEWS
  • EXPLORE
    • CAREER
      • Companies
      • Jobs
        • Lecturer
        • PhD Studentship
        • Postdoc
        • Research Assistant
    • EVENTS
    • iGEM
      • News
      • Team
    • PHOTOS
    • VIDEO
    • WIKI
  • BLOG
  • COMMUNITY
    • FACEBOOK
    • INSTAGRAM
    • TWITTER
  • HOME
  • NEWS
  • EXPLORE
    • CAREER
      • Companies
      • Jobs
        • Lecturer
        • PhD Studentship
        • Postdoc
        • Research Assistant
    • EVENTS
    • iGEM
      • News
      • Team
    • PHOTOS
    • VIDEO
    • WIKI
  • BLOG
  • COMMUNITY
    • FACEBOOK
    • INSTAGRAM
    • TWITTER
No Result
View All Result
Bioengineer.org
No Result
View All Result
Home NEWS Science News Biology

Discovery of a third T cell lineage

Bioengineer by Bioengineer
March 26, 2021
in Biology
Reading Time: 3 mins read
0
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on LinkedinShare on RedditShare on Telegram

IMAGE

Credit: (c) Rob Miller, University of New Mexico

The immune systems of all vertebrates contain specialized cells, called T cells, that play a fundamental role in protecting against fungal, bacterial, parasitic and viral infections. T cells use ‘molecular sensors’ called T cell receptors (TCRs) on their surface that can detect and eliminate the invading pathogens. For most of the past four decades, it was considered that there were only two T cell lineages, αβ and γδ T cells, characterized by their cell surface expressed αβ and γδ TCRs, respectively.

In a paper published today in Science, an international team of scientists at the University of New Mexico (US), Monash University (Australia), and the US National Institutes of Health, has defined a novel T cell lineage, called γμ T cells, found only in marsupials (e.g. kangaroos and opossums) and monotremes (e.g. duckbill platypus).

Evidence for the γμ TCR came with the discovery of genes encoding the TCRμ protein whilst analyzing the first complete marsupial genome, that of the South American opossum Monodelphis domestica. Oddly, distinct from conventional αβ and γδ TCRs, TCRμ was predicted to share similarity with the antibodies.

Using the Australian Synchrotron, the scientists at Monash University obtained a detailed three-dimensional image of the opossum γμTCR architecture that was unique and distinct from αβ or γδ TCRs. Noteworthy was the presence of an additional single antibody-like segment called Vμ domain with an architecture resembling to nanobodies, a unique type of antibodies. This discovery raises the possibility that γμ T cells recognize pathogens using novel mechanisms, distinct from conventional T cells.

“The discovery of a nanobody like structure in the γμ TCR has the potential to expand the immunology ‘toolbox’. Indeed, nanobodies discovered in the camel family (e.g. alpacas) have recently attracted considerable interests for their development as research and diagnostic tools and more importantly as immunotherapeutics in humans to combat cancer and viral infections such as COVID-19. Marsupials may offer an alternative source of nanobodies, one that is smaller, easier and cheaper to maintain than llamas or alpacas.” said Monash University Dr Marcin Wegrecki from the Biomedicine Discovery Institute, co-first author on the paper.

“Our findings further illustrate the value of exploring the world’s biodiversity for novelty beyond the standard animal research models, such as laboratory mice. Modern genomic tools applied to many species have opened the door to the myriad of immunological solutions to fighting pathogens that evolution has produced.” said Prof Robert Miller from the University of New Mexico, co-lead author on the paper.

“Many in-roads have been made in understanding the immune systems of humans and mice leading to the development of novel immunotherapeutic approaches enabling humans to combat highly pathogenic viruses. However, much less is understood on how immunity operates in other species that, in some cases, have been decimated by wildlife diseases. Ultimately our work may guide the development of veterinary approaches (e.g. novel vaccines) that will contribute to wildlife conservation.” said Dr Jérôme Le Nours from Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, co-lead author on the paper.

“This is a prime example of curiosity driven science leading to unexpected and transformative findings.” Le Nours stated.

###

The research findings were a culmination of a 12-year project that involved a multidisciplinary collaborative effort and the support from the ARC Centre of Excellence in Advanced Molecular Imaging, and funding from the US National Science Foundation, the US National Institutes of Health and the Australian Research Council.

Read the full paper in Science entitled: The molecular assembly of the marsupial γμ T cell receptor defines a third T cell lineage.

DOI: 10.1126/science.abe7070

About the Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute at Monash University

Committed to making the discoveries that will relieve the future burden of disease, the newly established Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute at Monash University brings together more than 120 internationally-renowned research teams. Spanning six discovery programs across Cancer, Cardiovascular Disease, Development and Stem Cells, Infection and Immunity, Metabolism, Diabetes and Obesity, and Neuroscience, Monash BDI is one of the largest biomedical research institutes in Australia. Our researchers are supported by world-class technology and infrastructure, and partner with industry, clinicians and researchers internationally to enhance lives through discovery.

For Media Enquiries please contact:

E: [email protected]

T: +61 (0) 425 725 836

For more Monash media stories, visit our news and events site

Media Contact
Wendy Smith
[email protected]

Related Journal Article

http://dx.doi.org/10.1126/science.abe7070

Tags: BiologyCell BiologyGenes
Share13Tweet8Share2ShareShareShare2

Related Posts

blank

CK2–PRC2 Signal Drives Plant Cold Memory Epigenetics

August 2, 2025
blank

AI-Driven Protein Design Advances T-Cell Immunotherapy Breakthroughs

August 1, 2025

Melanthiaceae Genomes Reveal Giant Genome Evolution Secrets

August 1, 2025

“Shore Wars: New Study Tackles Oyster-Mangrove Conflicts to Boost Coastal Restoration”

August 1, 2025
Please login to join discussion

POPULAR NEWS

  • Blind to the Burn

    Overlooked Dangers: Debunking Common Myths About Skin Cancer Risk in the U.S.

    60 shares
    Share 24 Tweet 15
  • Neuropsychiatric Risks Linked to COVID-19 Revealed

    42 shares
    Share 17 Tweet 11
  • Dr. Miriam Merad Honored with French Knighthood for Groundbreaking Contributions to Science and Medicine

    46 shares
    Share 18 Tweet 12
  • Study Reveals Beta-HPV Directly Causes Skin Cancer in Immunocompromised Individuals

    38 shares
    Share 15 Tweet 10

About

We bring you the latest biotechnology news from best research centers and universities around the world. Check our website.

Follow us

Recent News

Magnesium Implants Boost Bone-Immune Health In Vitro

Unmet Supportive Care Needs in Cancer Patients

AI Virtual Lab Engineers New SARS-CoV-2 Nanobodies

  • Contact Us

Bioengineer.org © Copyright 2023 All Rights Reserved.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
No Result
View All Result
  • Homepages
    • Home Page 1
    • Home Page 2
  • News
  • National
  • Business
  • Health
  • Lifestyle
  • Science

Bioengineer.org © Copyright 2023 All Rights Reserved.