Molecular and genetic parameters defining T-cell clonal selection.
Clonal selection of T cells occurs in the thymus and is responsible for generating a useful and functional repertoire of T cells. Aberrations in clonal selection result in altered T-cell homeostasis in the secondary lymphoid organs ranging from an absence of T cells to an overabundance of autoreactive T cells. The advent of new technologies facilitating the manipulation of the mouse genome has helped refine our understanding of the molecular and genetic pathways involved in clonal selection and has also revealed a high degree of complexity. Herein, we attempt to review recent advances in thymic selection processes, achieved mostly through genetic manipulations.
Labrecque
Nathalie
N
Maisonneuve-Rosemont Hospital Research Center, Montréal, Québec, Canada.
Baldwin
Troy
T
Lesage
Sylvie
S
D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D017637:Clonal Deletion / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D008285:Major Histocompatibility Complex / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000166:cytology* / Q000276:immunology*; D013950:Thymus Gland / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism*
D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell