Clonal deletion versus clonal anergy: the role of the thymus in inducing self tolerance

Science. 1990 Jun 15;248(4961):1342-8. doi: 10.1126/science.1972593.

Abstract

During development in the thymus, T cells are rendered tolerant to self antigens. It is now apparent that thymocytes bearing self-reactive T cell receptors can be tolerized by processes that result in physical elimination (clonal deletion) or functional inactivation (clonal anergy). As these mechanisms have important clinical implications for transplantation and autoimmunity, current investigations are focused on understanding the cellular and molecular interactions that generate these forms of tolerance.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antigens, Surface / immunology
  • Autoantigens / immunology
  • Autoimmunity / immunology
  • Bone Marrow / immunology
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • Chickens
  • Chimera
  • Clone Cells / immunology*
  • H-2 Antigens / immunology
  • Histocompatibility Antigens / immunology
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class II / immunology
  • Immune Tolerance*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Minor Lymphocyte Stimulatory Antigens
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell / immunology*
  • T-Lymphocytes / immunology*
  • T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory / immunology
  • Thymus Gland / immunology*
  • Xenopus

Substances

  • Antigens, Surface
  • Autoantigens
  • H-2 Antigens
  • Histocompatibility Antigens
  • Histocompatibility Antigens Class II
  • Minor Lymphocyte Stimulatory Antigens
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell