The αβ versus γδ T-cell lineage choice

During thymic development, immature T cells rearrange and express the genes encoding the T-cell antigen receptor and mature as either αβ or γδ lineage T cells. In the past year, advances have been made in understanding the role of individual components of the T-cell antigen receptor complex in the development of αβ and γδ lineage T cells. In addition, the transmembrane receptor Notch has recently been implicated as a new player in αβ versus γδ lineage determination.