Selecting and maintaining a diverse T-cell repertoire.
To provide a T-cell population that will respond promptly to foreign antigen, the immune system looks inward, using the variety of self-antigens to select and maintain a diverse repertoire of receptors. A protective immune system must include a T-lymphocyte population that is poised to respond to foreign antigenic peptides presented by self-major histocompatibility complex molecules. As the organism cannot predict the precise pathogen-derived antigens that will be encountered, the system uses the diverse array of self-peptides bound to self-major histocompatibility complex molecules, not only to select a receptor repertoire in the thymus, but also to keep naïve T cells alive and 'ready for action' in the periphery.
Goldrath
A W
AW
Department of Immunology and Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of Washington, Seattle 98195, USA.
Bevan
M J
MJ
D000818:Animals; D001324:Autoantigens / Q000276:immunology; D014644:Genetic Variation; D006706:Homeostasis; D006801:Humans; D019891:Leukopoiesis; D008208:Lymphatic System / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology; D008285:Major Histocompatibility Complex; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D017634:Self Tolerance; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000276:immunology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D013950:Thymus Gland / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology
D001324:Autoantigens; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell