title: Functional specificity of thymus- dependent lymphocytes.
abstract: Thymus-dependent lymphocytes display a restricted range of specificity when compared to thymus-independent (B) lymphocytes. They react particularly to thymus-dependent protein and cell surface antigens and to products of genes encoded in the MHC. In addition, T lymphocytes have important functions in regulating the immune response and in discriminating of self from nonself. Recent work indicates that individual T lymphocytes possess receptors that interact with both thymus-dependent antigens and MHC gene products, either independently or as associated structures. We attempt to relate this complex specificity pattern to the regulatory and surveillance functions of T lymphocytes.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000917:Antibody Formation; D000941:Antigens; D001402:B-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D001665:Binding Sites; D002999:Clone Cells / Q000276:immunology; D003601:Cytotoxicity Tests, Immunologic; D005796:Genes; D008040:Genetic Linkage; D006649:Histocompatibility Antigens; D006801:Humans; D006968:Hypersensitivity, Delayed / Q000276:immunology; D007111:Immunity, Cellular; D007126:Immunoglobulin Allotypes; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000096:biosynthesis; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000096:biosynthesis; D007156:Immunologic Memory; D007165:Immunosuppression Therapy; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008264:Macrophages / Q000276:immunology*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D000941:Antigens; D006649:Histocompatibility Antigens; D007126:Immunoglobulin Allotypes; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D007075:Immunoglobulin M