T cell receptor (TCR) Vgamma2 bearing T lymphocytes make up a significant proportion of gammadelta TCR cells in late fetal and adult peripheral lymphoid tissues. TCR gammadelta T cells may play a role in immunological surveillance for stress-induced self-antigens. The frequency of Vgamma2 expression in different strains varied from 12% to 54% in the TCR gammadelta repertoire. Variations in the levels of Vgamma2+ cells are not associated with MHC haplotype. High Vgamma2 expression is influenced by the TCR-delta locus. Expanding Vgamma2+ TCRgammadelta cells in B6 mice overwhelmingly use a Vdelta7+ delta chain except in the DBA/2 strain.