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Generation of Human Alloantigen-specific T Cells from Peripheral Blood
Published on: November 21, 2014
Functional implications of T cell receptor diversity
Stephen J Turner1, Nicole L La Gruta, Katherine Kedzierska
1Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. sjturn@unimelb.edu.au
Current Opinion in Immunology
|June 16, 2009
Summary
T cell receptor diversity influences immune control during infection. A broad repertoire is initially selected, with
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Infectious Disease Research
Background:
- Naive T cells initiate host responses by recognizing antigens with specific avidity.
- T cell avidity may dictate effector function, with low avidity cells acting as 'killers' and high avidity cells as 'helpers'.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent advances linking T cell receptor repertoire diversity to immunity against infection.
- To explore potential mechanisms underlying the relationship between T cell diversity and immune control.
Main Methods:
- Review of recent immunological research and findings.
- Analysis of T cell recruitment, avidity selection, and repertoire dynamics following antigen exposure.
Main Results:
- Initial antigen contact favors a broad T cell receptor repertoire.
- Prolonged antigen exposure leads to the dominance of 'best-fit' T cell clonotypes.
- T cell repertoire diversity is linked to effective immunity against infections.
Conclusions:
- The diversity of the T cell repertoire plays a critical role in managing infections.
- Understanding T cell avidity and repertoire selection offers insights into optimizing immune responses.
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