Peripheral T-cell tolerance defined through transgenic mouse studies.
Selection in the thymus restricted by MHC and self-peptide shapes the diverse reactivities of the T-cell population which subsequently seeds into the peripheral tissues, in anticipation of the universe of pathogen antigens to which the organism may be exposed. A necessary corollary is the potential for T-cell self-reactivity (autoimmunity) in the periphery. Transgenic mouse models in which transgene expression in the thymus is prevented or excluded, have been particularly useful for determining the immunological outcome when T-cells encounter transgene-encoded 'self' antigen in peripheral tissues. Data suggest that non-mutually exclusive mechanisms of T-cells 'ignoring' self-antigen, T-cell deletion, T-cell anergy and T-cell immunoregulation have evolved to prevent self-reactivity while maintaining T-cell diversity. The peripheral T-cell repertoire, far from being static following maturation through the thymus, is in a dynamic stated determined by these peripheral selective and immunoregulatory influences. This article reviews the evidence with particular reference to CD8+ive T-cells.
Sir Albert Sakzewski Virus Research Centre, University of Queensland, Herston, Australia. r.tindle@mailbox.uq.edu.au
R W
RW
Tindle
D000818:Animals; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D007108:Immune Tolerance / Q000235:genetics*; D051379:Mice; D008822:Mice, Transgenic / Q000276:immunology*; D018448:Models, Immunological; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000276:immunology*