The thymus medulla and its control of αßT cell development.
Semin Immunopathol
; 43(1): 15-27, 2021 02.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-33306154
ABSTRACT
αßT cells are an essential component of effective immune responses. The heterogeneity that lies within them includes subsets that express diverse self-MHC-restricted αßT cell receptors, which can be further subdivided into CD4+ helper, CD8+ cytotoxic, and Foxp3+ regulatory T cells. In addition, αßT cells also include invariant natural killer T cells that are very limited in αßT cell receptor repertoire diversity and recognise non-polymorphic CD1d molecules that present lipid antigens. Importantly, all αßT cell sublineages are dependent upon the thymus as a shared site of their development. Ongoing research has examined how the thymus balances the intrathymic production of multiple αßT cell subsets to ensure correct formation and functioning of the peripheral immune system. Experiments in both wild-type and genetically modified mice have been essential in revealing complex cellular and molecular mechanisms that regulate thymus function. In particular, studies have demonstrated the diverse and critical role that the thymus medulla plays in shaping the peripheral T cell pool. In this review, we summarise current knowledge on functional properties of the thymus medulla that enable the thymus to support the production of diverse αßT cell types.
Palavras-chave
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Fatores de Transcrição
/
Linfócitos T Reguladores
Limite:
Animals
/
Humans
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Semin Immunopathol
Assunto da revista:
ALERGIA E IMUNOLOGIA
/
PATOLOGIA
Ano de publicação:
2021
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
Reino Unido