Abstract
T cells acquire immune functions during expansion and differentiation in the thymus. Mature T cells respond to peptide antigens (Ag) derived from foreign proteins when these peptide Ag are presented on the self major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules but not on allo-MHC. This is termed self-MHC restriction. On the other hand, T cells do not induce aggressive responses to self Ag (self-tolerance). Self-MHC restriction and self-tolerance are not genetically determined but acquired a posteriori by positive and negative selection in the thymus in harmony with the functional maturation. Allogeneic bone marrow (BM) chimera systems have been a useful strategy to elucidate mechanisms underlying positive and negative selection. In this communication, the contribution of BM chimera systems to the investigation of the world of T-ology is discussed.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
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Review
MeSH terms
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Amino Acid Sequence
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Animals
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Antigen-Presenting Cells / immunology
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Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte / analysis
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Bone Marrow Transplantation / immunology*
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Cell Differentiation / immunology*
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Clonal Deletion / immunology
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Columbidae
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Cytochromes c / genetics
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Cytochromes c / immunology
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Flow Cytometry
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Graft vs Host Reaction / immunology
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Immune Tolerance / immunology
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Lymphocyte Activation / immunology
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Lymphocyte Culture Test, Mixed
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Lymphocyte Depletion
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Major Histocompatibility Complex / immunology
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Mice
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Mice, Inbred AKR
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Mice, Inbred C57BL
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Models, Immunological
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Peptides / genetics
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Peptides / immunology
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Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / immunology
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T-Lymphocytes / chemistry
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T-Lymphocytes / immunology*
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T-Lymphocytes, Cytotoxic / immunology
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Thymus Gland / cytology
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Transplantation Chimera / immunology*
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Transplantation, Homologous
Substances
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Antigens, Differentiation, T-Lymphocyte
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Peptides
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Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell
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Cytochromes c