Linking signalling pathways, thymic stroma integrity and autoimmunity.
Medullary thymic epithelial cells (mTECs) are indispensable for self-tolerance to peripheral organs by virtue of their expression of a host of tissue-restricted self-antigens. The full extent of this promiscuous gene expression is confined to functionally mature mTECs. Consequently, any interference with signalling pathways directing the differentiation and/or proliferation of this mature subset will affect the scope of central tolerance and potentially predispose to autoimmunity. In a recent study, tumour necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 6 (TRAF6) has been identified as an essential component of a new signalling pathway directing mTEC development.
Derbinski
Jens
J
Division of Developmental Immunology, Tumor Immunology Program, German Cancer Research Center, Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, D-69120 Heidelberg, Germany.
Kyewski
Bruno
B
D000818:Animals; D015551:Autoimmunity; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000276:immunology*; D053259:Lymphotoxin beta Receptor; D018124:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor / Q000276:immunology; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000276:immunology*; D017154:Stromal Cells / Q000276:immunology*; D048029:TNF Receptor-Associated Factor 6 / Q000276:immunology; D013950:Thymus Gland / Q000276:immunology*
D053259:Lymphotoxin beta Receptor; D018124:Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor; D048029:TNF Receptor-Associated Factor 6