Quantitative constraints on the scope of negative selection.
Maturing T cells with a high affinity for self-antigens presented in the thymus are deleted in the process of negative selection. Although the expression of various "tissue-specific" antigens has been described in the thymus, it is still controversial what fraction of all self-antigens induces tolerance by this mechanism. We demonstrate that the limited duration of the negative selection phase imposes a constraint on the number of self-peptides that can be reliably selected against. The analysis supports the theory that negative selection is confined to the subset of peptides produced by dendritic cells.
Müller
Viktor
V
Ecology & Evolution, ETH Zürich, ETH Zentrum NW, 8092 Zürich, Switzerland. mueller@eco.umnw.ethz.ch
Bonhoeffer
Sebastian
S
D000818:Animals; D001324:Autoantigens / Q000276:immunology*; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007108:Immune Tolerance / Q000276:immunology*; D008285:Major Histocompatibility Complex / Q000276:immunology; D018448:Models, Immunological; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / Q000276:immunology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology*
D001324:Autoantigens; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell