Cell adhesion molecules involved in intrathymic T cell development.
During stem cell migration to the thymus, intrathymic maturation of T cells, and emigration of mature T cells out of the thymus, intercellular interactions of developing T cells with a myriad of cell types are required for normal T cell development. Intercellular interactions of T cell precursors with endothelial cells, thymic epithelial cells, fibroblasts, thymic macrophages and dendritic cells are all mediated by adhesion molecules on immature T cells binding to ligands on thymic microenvironment cells. While many receptor-ligand interactions that are important in intrathymic T cell development are known, the adhesion molecules that are important for migration of T cell precursors to the thymus and for emigration of mature thymocytes from the thymus are poorly understood. An emerging concept is that select adhesion molecules at discrete stages of T cell maturation participate in and regulate the complex processes of T cell development.
Patel
D D
DD
Department of Medicine, Duke University Arthritis Center, Durham, NC.
Haynes
B F
BF
D000818:Animals; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000502:physiology; D018968:CD58 Antigens; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules / Q000502:physiology*; D002465:Cell Movement; D006801:Humans; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1; D016169:Lymphocyte Function-Associated Antigen-1 / Q000502:physiology; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000502:physiology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000502:physiology*; D013950:Thymus Gland / Q000166:cytology*
D015703:Antigens, CD; D018968:CD58 Antigens; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; D016169:Lymphocyte Function-Associated Antigen-1; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D018799:Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1