Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 25, 2026
In Vitro and In Vivo Assessment of T, B and Myeloid Cells Suppressive Activity and Humoral Responses from Transplant Recipients
Published on: August 12, 2017
Peripheral tolerance in CD8+ T cells
Mathangi Srinivasan1, Kenneth A Frauwirth
1Department of Cell Biology and Molecular Genetics, University of Maryland, Bldg. 231 Room 2113, College Park, MD 20742, USA.
The establishment and maintenance of T cell tolerance to self- and non-pathogenic foreign antigens is critical for immune homeostasis. Thymic deletion of self-reactive T cells is an important component of tolerance, but it is incomplete, and does not establish tolerance to most foreign antigens. Thus, mechanisms of peripheral tolerance are also required. This is especially true for CD8(+) T cells, which are able to encounter their cognate antigens presented by nearly any cell type. Upon differentiating into cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL), CD8(+) T cells do not require costimulation for their cytotoxic function, reinforcing the importance of tolerance in these cells. In this review, we will discuss the modes of peripheral tolerance in CD8(+) T cells, covering both naïve and effector T cells. We will examine the antigen and signaling requirements for tolerance induction and maintenance, and will also touch on similarities and potential differences between CD8(+) and CD4(+) tolerance mechanisms.
The establishment and maintenance of T cell tolerance to self- and non-pathogenic foreign antigens is critical for immune homeostasis. Thymic deletion of self-reactive T cells is an important component of tolerance, but it is incomplete, and does not establish tolerance to most foreign antigens. Thus, mechanisms of peripheral tolerance are also required. This is especially true for CD8(+) T cells, which are able to encounter their cognate antigens presented by nearly any cell type. Upon differentiating into cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL), CD8(+) T cells do not require costimulation for their cytotoxic function, reinforcing the importance of tolerance in these cells. In this review, we will discuss the modes of peripheral tolerance in CD8(+) T cells, covering both naïve and effector T cells. We will examine the antigen and signaling requirements for tolerance induction and maintenance, and will also touch on similarities and potential differences between CD8(+) and CD4(+) tolerance mechanisms.
Related Concept Videos
01:22T Cell Activation and Clonal Selection
Naive T cells that have not yet encountered an antigen express two primary CD...
01:20Special 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,...
01:27Cytotoxic T Cells-mediated Immune Response
Immunological surveillance is the ability of immune cells to monitor and eliminate infected cells with intracellular pathogens, neoplastically transformed cells, and cells with non-self antigens. Cytotoxic T cells and NK...
01:24T Cell Types and Functions
Th1 cells stimulate dendritic cells to express necessary co-stimulatory molecules on their surfaces for...
01:40Cell-mediated Immune Responses