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Control of clonal deletion in the thymus: Implications for tolerance induction
Author(s) -
HARTWIG MANFRED
Publication year - 1993
Publication title -
immunology and cell biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.999
H-Index - 104
eISSN - 1440-1711
pISSN - 0818-9641
DOI - 10.1038/icb.1993.38
Subject(s) - antigen , biology , embryonic stem cell , immunology , clonal deletion , microbiology and biotechnology , t cell , immune system , gene , genetics , t cell receptor
Summary Tolerance to foreign antigen by means of clonal deletion in the thymus can be achieved during embryonic or neonatal life, but not easily in the adult animal. It is concluded here that an immunological control by mature T cells prevents newly acquired antigen from being permanently deposited in the adult thymus. In this way, the originally established thymic antigen discrimination can be maintained successfully. Breakdown of the control circuit should permit tolerance induction even in the adult thymus.