A unique population of T lymphocytes, designated dendritic epidermal T cells (DETC), homes to the murine epidermis during fetal development. DETC express a canonical γδ TCR, Vγ3/Vδ1, which recognizes Ag expressed on damaged, stressed, or transformed keratinocytes. Recently, DETC were shown to play a key role in the complex process of wound repair. To examine the role of the DETC TCR in DETC localization to the epidermis, maintenance in the skin, and activation in vivo, we analyzed DETC in the TCRδ−/− mouse. Unlike previous reports in which the TCRδ−/− skin was found to be devoid of any DETC, we discovered that TCRδ−/− mice have αβ TCR-expressing DETC with a polyclonal Vβ chain repertoire. The αβ DETC are not retained over the life of the animal, suggesting that the γδ TCR is critical for the maintenance of DETC in the skin. Although the αβ DETC can be activated in response to direct stimulation, they do not respond to keratinocyte damage. Our results suggest that a keratinocyte-responsive TCR is necessary for DETC activation in response to keratinocyte damage and for DETC maintenance in the epidermis.