The role of self-peptides in the development of CD4+ CD25+ regulatory T cells.
The thymus produces a unique lineage of cells known as CD4+ CD25+ regulatory T cells, and the exact processes leading to their development continue to be defined. Highly specific interactions between developing thymocytes and cognate self-antigens expressed by radioresistant elements in the thymus have been shown to drive CD4+ CD25+ regulatory-T-cell development. The self-peptide(s) that mediate thymic selection of CD4+ CD25+ regulatory T cells can also promote their expansion in the periphery, and self-peptides might also play a role in the conversion of CD4+ CD25- T cells into CD25+ regulatory T cells.
Picca
Cristina Cozzo
CC
The Wistar Institute, 3601 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
Caton
Andrew J
AJ
D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000276:immunology* / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D010455:Peptides / Q000276:immunology*; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2 / Q000276:immunology*; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology*; D006377:T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology*; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology*; D013950:Thymus Gland / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology
D010455:Peptides; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2