Abstract
Alphabeta T cells pass through a series of lymphoid tissue stromal microenvironments to acquire self tolerance and functional competence. In the thymus, positive selection of the developing T-cell receptor repertoire occurs in the cortex, whereas events in the medulla purge the system of self reactivity. T cells that survive are exported to secondary lymphoid organs where they direct first primary and then memory immune responses. This Review focuses on the microenvironments that nurture T-cell development rather than on T cells themselves. We summarize current knowledge on the formation of thymic epithelial-cell microenvironments, and highlight similarities between the environments that produce T cells and those that select and maintain them during immune responses.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 954-63 |
Number of pages | 10 |
Journal | Nature Reviews Immunology |
Volume | 7 |
Issue number | 12 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 1 Dec 2007 |