T-cell receptor degeneracy: the dog that did not bark. Adaptation of the self-reactive T-cell response to limit autoimmune disease.
T-cells provide antigen specific focus to the adaptive immune response. However, the receptors that initiate functional responses are not in themselves specific, as they can recognise many different ligands. In this paper, we propose that the immune system deals with TCR degeneracy by an adaptive process that effects both T-cell activation and T-cell function, and exploits TCR degeneracy to limit pathogenic autoimmune disease.
Nicholson
Lindsay B
LB
Department of Pathology and Microbiology, School of Medical Sciences, University of Bristol, University Walk, Bristol BS8 1TD, UK.
Wraith
David C
DC
D000818:Animals; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / Q000276:immunology*
D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell