Selection of regulatory T cells in the thymus.
The generation of regulatory T (T(Reg)) cells in the thymus is crucial for immune homeostasis and self-tolerance. Recent discoveries have revealed the cellular and molecular mechanisms that govern the differentiation of a subset of developing thymocytes into natural T(Reg) cells. Several models, centred on the self-reactivity of the T cell receptor (TCR), have been proposed to explain the generation of a T(Reg) cell population that is cognizant of self. Several molecular pathways link TCR and cytokine signalling with the expression of the T(Reg) cell-associated transcription factor forkhead box P3 (FOXP3). Moreover, interplay between thymocytes and thymic antigen-presenting cells is also involved in T(Reg) cell generation.
Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri 63110, USA. chsieh@wustl.edu
Chyi-Song
CS
Hsieh
Hyang-Mi
HM
Lee
Chan-Wang J
CW
Lio
D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / Q000276:immunology; D017634:Self Tolerance / Q000276:immunology; D050378:T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology*; D013950:Thymus Gland / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology*
D011948:Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell