The peripheral T-cell pool: regulation by non-antigen induced proliferation?
Despite continuous perturbations, the recirculating lymphocyte pool remains relatively constant. Expansion of the pool is compensated for by cell loss. When the T-cell pool is in deficit, either from a congenital defect or an acquired immunodeficiency, T-cell numbers are restored by extrathymic division-a response that occurs without deliberate provocation. We have considered how the recirculating pool may be stably maintained and how a T-cell deficit might be restored to equilibrium. Recent evidence suggests that depleted T-cell compartments are replenished by CD4 T-cell proliferation in the absence of specific antigen, a response that occurs without engaging the T-cell receptor.
Bell
E B
EB
Immunology Research Group, Biological Sciences, Manchester University Medical School, Manchester, M13 9PT, UK.
Sparshott
S M
SM
D000818:Animals; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology* / Q000276:immunology; D002455:Cell Division; D006706:Homeostasis; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology; D018448:Models, Immunological; D013154:Spleen / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology