Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 1, 2026

Identification of Mediators of T-cell Receptor Signaling via the Screening of Chemical Inhibitor Libraries
Published on: January 22, 2019
Role of receptor editing and revision in shaping the B and T lymphocyte repertoire
1Mount Sinai Hospital, Institute of Gene Therapy, New York, New York 10029, USA.
B and T lymphocytes that carry antigen receptors are able to change specificity through subsequent receptor gene rearrangements. Receptor editing and receptor revision are terms used to distinguish those rearrangements occurring, respectively, in central lymphoid organs and the periphery. Secondary rearrangement appears to be a major player at two levels in the life of B lymphocytes. First, editing preserves a diverse repertoire without compromising self-tolerance, and revision further increases this repertoire once B cells have been engaged in an immune response, most likely for a better interaction with microbes. Recent studies have likewise suggested a role for receptor editing and revision in shaping the T cell repertoire during development and tolerance.
B and T lymphocytes that carry antigen receptors are able to change specificity through subsequent receptor gene rearrangements. Receptor editing and receptor revision are terms used to distinguish those rearrangements occurring, respectively, in central lymphoid organs and the periphery. Secondary rearrangement appears to be a major player at two levels in the life of B lymphocytes. First, editing preserves a diverse repertoire without compromising self-tolerance, and revision further increases this repertoire once B cells have been engaged in an immune response, most likely for a better interaction with microbes. Recent studies have likewise suggested a role for receptor editing and revision in shaping the T cell repertoire during development and tolerance.
Related Concept Videos
RNA Editing
Special Features of Adaptive Immunity
The primary cell types involved in adaptive immunity are T cells and B cells. Each type has a unique role in defending the body against pathogens. T cells are responsible for cell-mediated immunity. They identify and eliminate infected cells directly,...
Cells of the Adaptive Immune Response
Diversity of Antigen Receptors
Before encountering any antigen, lymphocytes express these receptors. On B cells, the antigen receptor is a membrane-bound antibody molecule called BCR; on T cells, it is a T cell receptor or TCR. B and T cell receptors are composed of two...
T Cell Activation and Clonal Selection
Naive T cells that have not yet encountered an antigen express two primary CD...
B Cell Activation and Differentiation
When naive B cells encounter a specific antigen that can bind to the B cell receptor (BCR) on their surface, they undergo sensitization to respond to the antigen's presence. Sensitization begins with...

