Thymic microenvironments for T cell differentiation and selection.
The adult thymus provides a variety of specialized microenvironments that support and direct T cell differentiation and selection. In this review, we summarize recent advances in the understanding of the function of microenvironments in shaping a diverse T cell repertoire. In particular, we focus on how thymocytes move in and out of these specialized thymic compartments in response to homing signals, differential chemokine gradients and other factors that regulate T cell migration. In addition, we discuss the diverse developmental signals provided by these microenvironments that contribute to the generation of divergent T cell lineages.
Division of Immunology, Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720, USA.
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Tatyana
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Chtanova
Ellen A
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D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D016201:Receptors, Lymphocyte Homing / Q000276:immunology; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology*; D013950:Thymus Gland / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology*
D016201:Receptors, Lymphocyte Homing