Role of γδ T cells in West Nile virus-induced encephalitis: Friend or foe?

West Nile virus (WNV)-induced encephalitis has been a public health concern in North America over the past decade. No therapeutics or vaccines are available for human use. Studies in animal models have provided important information for investigations of WNV pathogenesis and the host immune response in humans. This article will give an overview of the role of γδ T cells, one of the non-classical T cell subsets in the murine model of WNV encephalitis.