title: Stromal cell-derived factor 1α and CXCR4: newly defined requirements for efficient thymic β-selection.
abstract: The progressive maturation of T cells is accompanied by their migration through the thymus, with each selection stage occurring in distinct microenvironments. Many specialized receptor-ligand pairs have been defined that drive T cell differentiation, but our understanding of the complex relationship between T cells and the thymic stroma is incomplete. Recent reports have identified a role for the chemokine stromal cell-derived factor 1α and its receptor CXC chemokine receptor 4 in β-selection. This review explores these findings in detail.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Lymphocyte Signaling and Development, The Babraham Institute, Babraham, Cambridge CB223AT, UK. michelle.janas@bbsrc.ac.uk
authors.forename: Michelle L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Janas
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Turner
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D054377:Chemokine CXCL12 / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D016693:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D019718:Receptors, CXCR4 / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction; D013950:Thymus Gland / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D054377:Chemokine CXCL12; D016693:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell, alpha-beta; D019718:Receptors, CXCR4