title: Macrophage suppression of T cell activation: a potential mechanism of peripheral tolerance.
abstract: The mechanisms of induction and maintenance of tolerance in self-reactive T cells in the periphery are poorly understood. Current models assume that successful T cell activation only occurs if ligation of the T cell receptor (signal 1) by antigen presenting cells (APCs) is accompanied by a costimulatory signal (signal 2), and that signal 1 in the absence of signal 2 is either ignored or is tolerizing. However, there is also evidence for the existence of macrophages (M phi) capable of suppressing T cell activation both in vitro and in vivo. The possibility of a more actively induced tolerance exists, in which the M phi itself responds to T cell-mediated signals in a tolerogenic fashion. This would help to resolve the paradox that tissue M phi, which act as scavengers of self-antigen, can also act as professional APCs. The ability of tissue macrophages to actively suppress T cells would further underscore the importance of the innate immune system in regulating adaptive immune responses.
authors.affiliation: Medical College of Georgia, Institute of Molecular Medicine and Genetics, Augusta 30912-2600, USA.
authors.forename: J T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Attwood
authors.forename: D H
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Munn
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002450:Cell Communication / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007108:Immune Tolerance; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008264:Macrophages / Q000276:immunology*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*