The thymus plays a role in oral tolerance induction in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis.
Mice are protected from experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) when fed myelin basic protein (MBP). Thymectomized mice do not exhibit oral tolerance. We found evidence for two mechanisms to explain the role of the thymus in oral tolerance: a site for deletion of autoreactive T cells and a source of regulatory T cells.
Song
Fei
F
Department of Molecular Virology, Immunology, and Medical Genetics, The Ohio State University, 2078 Graves Hall, 333 West 10th Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210, USA. song.89@osu.edu
Gienapp
Ingrid E
IE
Shawler
Todd
T
Guan
Zhen
Z
Whitacre
Caroline C
CC
D000818:Animals; D004681:Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental / Q000276:immunology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D007108:Immune Tolerance; D018928:Immunity, Mucosal; D051379:Mice; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D009061:Mouth Mucosa / Q000276:immunology*; D004676:Myelin Basic Protein / Q000276:immunology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D013934:Thymectomy; D013950:Thymus Gland / Q000276:immunology*
D004676:Myelin Basic Protein; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell