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Updated: Aug 3, 2026
16:10
A TIRF Microscopy Technique for Real-time, Simultaneous Imaging of the TCR and its Associated Signaling Proteins
Published on: March 22, 2012
Receptor revision in T cells: an open question?
Raul Mostoslavsky1, Frederick W Alt
1Howard Hughes Medical Institute, The Children's Hospital, The Center for Blood Research, and Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
Trends in Immunology
|May 18, 2004
Summary
Immune cells called B and T cells create unique antigen receptors. Recent studies suggest mature T cells may also edit their receptors for new specificity, similar to B cells.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Molecular Biology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Lymphocytes (B and T cells) generate diverse antigen receptors by assembling gene segments.
- B cells can edit their receptors upon encountering self-antigens during development.
- Receptor editing in T cells is less understood and remains controversial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the potential for mature T cells to revise their antigen receptors.
- To explore the controversial topic of T cell receptor editing in the periphery.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of recent studies and experimental evidence.
- Comparative immunology of B and T cell receptor generation and modification.
Main Results:
- Evidence suggests mature T cells may revise their receptors in the periphery.
- This potential revision mirrors the known receptor editing process in B cells.
Conclusions:
- Mature T cells might possess a mechanism for peripheral receptor revision.
- Further research is needed to confirm and elucidate T cell receptor editing.
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