[Molecular mechanisms of thymocyte differentiation].
A review of the main molecular events occurring during differentiation of T-lymphocytes in the thymus: T-cell specialization of early intrathymic precursors, formation and expression of antigen receptor, formation of antigen recognizing cell repertoire, and alpha beta/gamma beta- and CD4/CD8-commitment. The mechanisms of glucocorticoid-induced apoptosis of thymocytes and its blockade during antigen-dependent activation are considered. A special attention is paid to the analysis of intracellular signals underlying the clonal selection of thymocytes.
Kuklina
E M
EM
Institute of Ecology and Genetics of Microorganisms, Ural Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences, ul. Goleva 13, Perm, 614081 Russia.
D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology*; D013950:Thymus Gland / Q000166:cytology*