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T cell tolerance after bone marrow transplantation in mice
Bone Marrow Transplantation
|January 1, 1992
Summary
This study explores T cell tolerance induction in the thymus using bone marrow chimeras. Thymic epithelial cells significantly contribute to tolerance, particularly for high-affinity T cells, while extrathymic mechanisms remain debated.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- T cell tolerance is crucial for preventing autoimmunity.
- The thymus is a primary site for T cell education and tolerance induction.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the mechanisms of T cell tolerance induction in the thymus.
- To evaluate the roles of bone marrow-derived cells and thymic epithelial cells in tolerance.
- To discuss the controversy surrounding extrathymic tolerance mechanisms.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing parent----F1 bone marrow chimeras as a model system.
- Analyzing T cell responses following adoptive transfer in chimeric mice.
Main Results:
- Intrathymic tolerance is primarily governed by bone marrow-derived cells.
- Thymic epithelial cells play a significant role in inducing tolerance, especially for high-affinity T cells.
- Evidence suggests that extrathymic tolerance mechanisms may not be as significant, as parental T cells transferred to chimeras induced immunogenicity.
Conclusions:
- Thymic epithelial cells are important contributors to T cell tolerance induction.
- The role of extrathymic tolerance remains a subject of debate.
- Breakdown of self-tolerance can manifest as "auto-GVHD" (autoimmune graft-versus-host disease).