title: Cell biology of T cell activation and differentiation.
abstract: T cells are major components of the adaptive immune system. They can differentiate into two different populations of effector cells-type one and type two-and may also become tolerant. T cells respond to immune challenges by interacting with antigen-presenting cells of the innate immune system. These latter cells can identify the nature of any immune challenge and initiate adaptive immune responses. Dendritic cells are the most important antigen-presenting cells in the body. The T cell recognizes both peptides associated with MHC molecules on the antigen-presenting cells and also other molecules in a complex structure known as an immunological synapse. The nature of the antigen, the cytokine environment, and other molecules on the dendritic cell surface instruct the T cells as to the response required. A better understanding of the biology of T cell responses offers the prospect of more effective therapeutic interventions.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Sciences, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Morelos, Cuernavaca, Morelos, Mexico.
authors.forename: María Angélica
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Santana
authors.forename: Fernando
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Esquivel-Guadarrama
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000502:physiology*; D016207:Cytokines / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D003599:Cytoskeleton / Q000378:metabolism; D003713:Dendritic Cells / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000378:metabolism; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D021962:Membrane Microdomains / Q000378:metabolism; D016176:T-Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D016207:Cytokines