Contrasting models of promiscuous gene expression by thymic epithelium.
Medullary thymic epithelial cells (mTECs) express a broad spectrum of tissue- restricted self-antigens (TRAs), which are required for the development of central tolerance. A new study suggests that TRA expression is a specialized property of terminally differentiated mTECs. However, as discussed here, an alternative model-whereby TRA expression is regulated by conserved developmental programs active in developing mTECs-may be equally plausible.
Department of Immunology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA 98195, USA.
Geoffrey O
GO
Gillard
Andrew G
AG
Farr
D000818:Animals; D001324:Autoantigens / Q000235:genetics*; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology; D015870:Gene Expression; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D008957:Models, Genetic; D018448:Models, Immunological; D017634:Self Tolerance; D013950:Thymus Gland / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology*; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics; D000096927:AIRE Protein
D001324:Autoantigens; D014157:Transcription Factors; D000096927:AIRE Protein