Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Primary Lymphoid Organs

Primary Lymphoid Organs

Primary lymphoid organs are pivotal in the formation, development, and maturation of lymphocytes, the white blood cells that serve as the backbone of our immune system. This crucial function underscores their fundamental role in maintaining our overall health and immunity. The two primary lymphoid organs of prime importance are the red bone marrow and the thymus.
The red bone marrow is a soft, spongy tissue nestled in the interior of long bones such as the humerus and femur. It is the site...

T Cell Activation and Clonal Selection

T Cell Activation and Clonal Selection

T cells are integral to our adaptive immune system, recognizing and effectively responding to foreign antigens. T cell activation and clonal selection are pivotal in orchestrating this immune response. This article elucidates these mechanisms, detailing the roles of cluster of differentiation (CD) markers, major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules, costimulatory signals, and the process of clonal selection.
Naive T cells that have not yet encountered an antigen express two primary CD...

Cells of the Adaptive Immune Response

Cells of the Adaptive Immune Response

The T and B lymphocytes of the adaptive immune system develop from common lymphoid progenitor cells in the bone marrow. These progenitors give rise to precursors that eventually develop into both T and B lymphocytes. As these precursors mature, they gain the ability to detect and respond to foreign antigens in the body, a process known as immunocompetence. Additionally, these precursors acquire self-tolerance, a process that ensures they do not react to self-antigens. This intricate system...

T Cell Types and Functions

T Cell Types and Functions

When T cells with CD4 markers are activated, they give rise to two types of effector cells: helper T cells and regulatory T cells. Meanwhile, T cells with CD8 markers differentiate into effector cytotoxic T cells. The differentiation of CD4 T cells into helper T cell subsets, such as Th1, Th2, and Th17 cells, is dependent on the antigen type, antigen-presenting cell, and regulatory cytokines.
Th1 cells stimulate dendritic cells to express necessary co-stimulatory molecules on their surfaces for...

Diversity of Antigen Receptors

Diversity of Antigen Receptors

Antigen receptors are essential components of the immune system crucial in defending the body against foreign invaders. These receptors are present on the surface of B and T cells, enabling them to recognize antigens and mount an appropriate immune response.
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...

Lymphoid Cells and Tissues

Lymphoid Cells and Tissues

Lymphoid cells and tissues are integral to the immune system, which is crucial in maintaining our body's defense against harmful pathogens. They form the building blocks of lymphoid organs, which include the spleen, thymus, and lymph nodes.
Lymphoid cells consist of various types of immune system cells. These include B and T lymphocytes, which are responsible for producing antibodies and killing infected cells, respectively. Dendritic cells act as messengers between the innate and adaptive...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Spontaneous cervical epidural hematoma mimicking a transient ischemic attack.

Acute medicine & surgery·2018

Same author

Thymoproteasome and peptidic self.

Immunogenetics·2018

Same author

HERC2 Facilitates BLM and WRN Helicase Complex Interaction with RPA to Suppress G-Quadruplex DNA.

Cancer research·2018

Same author

Fracture Mechanism Change at a Heterogeneous Polymer-Polymer Interface Reinforced with in Situ Graft Copolymers.

Langmuir : the ACS journal of surfaces and colloids·2018

Same author

The immunoproteasome and thymoproteasome: functions, evolution and human disease.

Nature immunology·2018

Same author

Structural insights into ubiquitin phosphorylation by PINK1.

Scientific reports·2018

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 26, 2026

Isolation, Identification, and Purification of Murine Thymic Epithelial Cells

Isolation, Identification, and Purification of Murine Thymic Epithelial Cells

Published on: August 8, 2014

Thymic microenvironments for T-cell repertoire formation.

Takeshi Nitta¹, Shigeo Murata, Tomoo Ueno

¹Division of Experimental Immunology, Institute for Genome Research, University of Tokushima, Tokushima 770-8503, Japan.

Advances in Immunology

|January 2, 2009

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

The thymus shapes a T-cell repertoire through selection processes. Thymoproteasomes in cTEC and interactions in the medulla are crucial for developing immune tolerance and a functional T-cell repertoire.

More Related Videos

Preparation and Applications of Organotypic Thymic Slice Cultures

Preparation and Applications of Organotypic Thymic Slice Cultures

Published on: August 6, 2016

Preparation of Single-Cell Suspension of Mouse Thymic Epithelial Cells and Staining of Intracellular Molecules for Flow Cytometric Analysis

Preparation of Single-Cell Suspension of Mouse Thymic Epithelial Cells and Staining of Intracellular Molecules for Flow Cytometric Analysis

Published on: July 26, 2024

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 26, 2026

Isolation, Identification, and Purification of Murine Thymic Epithelial Cells

Isolation, Identification, and Purification of Murine Thymic Epithelial Cells

Published on: August 8, 2014

Preparation and Applications of Organotypic Thymic Slice Cultures

Preparation and Applications of Organotypic Thymic Slice Cultures

Published on: August 6, 2016

Preparation of Single-Cell Suspension of Mouse Thymic Epithelial Cells and Staining of Intracellular Molecules for Flow Cytometric Analysis

Preparation of Single-Cell Suspension of Mouse Thymic Epithelial Cells and Staining of Intracellular Molecules for Flow Cytometric Analysis

Published on: July 26, 2024

Area of Science:

Immunology
Cell Biology
Developmental Biology

Background:

A competent immune system requires T cells that recognize foreign antigens but tolerate self-antigens.
T-cell repertoire development occurs in the thymus via positive and negative selection of thymocytes.
Thymoproteasomes in cortical thymic epithelial cells (cTEC) play a role in T-cell development.

Purpose of the Study:

To elucidate the role of thymoproteasomes and thymic microenvironments in T-cell repertoire selection and self-tolerance.
To understand the signaling pathways and cellular interactions governing T-cell differentiation in the thymus.

Main Methods:

Analysis of thymocyte development and selection processes within the thymic cortex and medulla.
Investigation of the function of thymoproteasomes in cTEC.
Study of chemokine receptor (CCR7) expression and migration of thymocytes.
Examination of the role of TNF superfamily ligands in medullary thymic epithelial cell (mTEC) development.

Main Results:

Thymoproteasomes in cTEC present self-peptides that induce positive selection of thymocytes.
Positively selected thymocytes express CCR7, migrating to the medulla.
The thymic medulla, with mTEC and dendritic cells, further refines the T-cell repertoire for self-tolerance.
Positively selected thymocytes produce TNF superfamily ligands that regulate mTEC development and thymic medulla formation.

Conclusions:

The thymus utilizes distinct microenvironments (cortex and medulla) and molecular complexes (thymoproteasomes) to generate a functionally competent and self-tolerant T-cell repertoire.
Interactions between thymocytes and thymic epithelial cells, mediated by specific ligands and receptors, are critical for immune homeostasis.