title: Regulation of thymocyte development by glucocorticoids.
abstract: It is generally believed that the avidity of the T cell receptor for self antigen/MHC determines the fate of a thymocyte. However, it is not understood how the thymocyte distinguishes a survival signal (positive selection) from a death signal (negative selection). Recent studies from our laboratory have explored the role that thymus-produced glucocorticoids may play in influencing thymocyte development. It appears that glucocorticoids are important and necessary at several points during thymocyte differentiation and that they may regulate antigen-specific T cell development.
authors.affiliation: Division of Hematologic Products, Food and Drug Administration, Bethesda, MD 20852, USA.
authors.forename: M S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Vacchio
authors.forename: L B
authors.initials: LB
authors.lastname: King
authors.forename: J D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Ashwell
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000502:physiology*; D008285:Major Histocompatibility Complex; D018448:Models, Immunological; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / Q000502:physiology; D011965:Receptors, Glucocorticoid / Q000502:physiology; D015398:Signal Transduction; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology*; D013950:Thymus Gland / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D005938:Glucocorticoids; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell; D011965:Receptors, Glucocorticoid