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

Special Features of Adaptive Immunity

Special Features of Adaptive Immunity

The adaptive immune system, a crucial component of the overall immune response, offers a highly specialized defense against pathogens. It involves specific cell types and features, enabling it to combat infections effectively and efficiently.
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,...

Autoimmune Disorders

Autoimmune Disorders

Autoimmune diseases are a group of disorders in which the body's immune system mistakenly attacks its own cells, tissues, and organs. This results from an overactive immune response against substances and tissues normally present in the body. Let's delve into the concept and mechanism of autoimmune diseases from an immune system point of view, explore different causes and examples of such diseases, and discuss potential solutions.
Concept and Mechanism of Autoimmune Diseases
The immune system...

Cell-mediated Immune Responses

Cell-mediated Immune Responses

Type I Diabetes I: Introduction

Type I Diabetes I: Introduction

Type 1 diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by an absolute deficiency of insulin resulting from the autoimmune destruction of pancreatic β-cells. Although it can occur at any age, it is most commonly diagnosed in childhood, adolescence, or early adulthood. The loss of insulin production impairs cellular glucose uptake, resulting in persistent hyperglycemia and necessitating lifelong insulin therapy.Autoimmune Destruction of β-CellsThe hallmark of type 1 diabetes is an...

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...

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...

You might also read

Related Articles

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

Sort by

Same author

Reply to "Tolerogenic insulin peptide therapy precipitates type 1 diabetes".

The Journal of experimental medicine·2017

Same author

Cyclin C is a haploinsufficient tumour suppressor.

Nature cell biology·2014

Same author

Deciphering thymic development.

Frontiers in immunology·2014

Same author

The thymus in immunity and in malignancy.

Cancer immunology research·2014

Same author

Negative selection, not receptor editing, is a physiological response of autoreactive thymocytes.

The Journal of experimental medicine·2013

Same author

The TAL1 complex targets the FBXW7 tumor suppressor by activating miR-223 in human T cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

The Journal of experimental medicine·2013

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 20, 2026

Isolation and Th17 Differentiation of Naïve CD4 T Lymphocytes

Isolation and Th17 Differentiation of Naïve CD4 T Lymphocytes

Published on: September 26, 2013

Central tolerance: essential for preventing autoimmune disease?

Harald von Boehmer¹

¹Harvard Medical School, Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02115, USA. harald_von_boehmer@dfci.harvard.edu

European Journal of Immunology

|August 29, 2009

Summary

Recessive central tolerance prevents autoimmune disease by deleting self-reactive T cells in the thymus. Failure of this process, due to limited antigen availability, can lead to T cell activation and autoimmunity.

More Related Videos

Regulatory T cells: Therapeutic Potential for Treating Transplant Rejection and Type I Diabetes

Regulatory T cells: Therapeutic Potential for Treating Transplant Rejection and Type I Diabetes

Published on: August 20, 2007

Generation of a Mouse Spontaneous Autoimmune Thyroiditis Model

Generation of a Mouse Spontaneous Autoimmune Thyroiditis Model

Published on: March 17, 2023

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 20, 2026

Isolation and Th17 Differentiation of Naïve CD4 T Lymphocytes

Isolation and Th17 Differentiation of Naïve CD4 T Lymphocytes

Published on: September 26, 2013

Regulatory T cells: Therapeutic Potential for Treating Transplant Rejection and Type I Diabetes

Regulatory T cells: Therapeutic Potential for Treating Transplant Rejection and Type I Diabetes

Published on: August 20, 2007

Generation of a Mouse Spontaneous Autoimmune Thyroiditis Model

Generation of a Mouse Spontaneous Autoimmune Thyroiditis Model

Published on: March 17, 2023

Area of Science:

Immunology
T cell biology
Autoimmunity

Background:

Recessive central tolerance is crucial for preventing autoimmune diseases.
Mechanisms involve antigen-induced deletion of T cells in the thymus.
Few studies convincingly demonstrate its essential role in preventing autoimmunity.

Purpose of the Study:

To explore the role of recessive central tolerance in preventing autoimmune disease.
To investigate how antigen availability influences T cell tolerance and autoimmunity.

Main Methods:

Analysis of T cell development and tolerance mechanisms.
Examination of T cell receptor (TCR) editing and deletion processes.
Assessment of antigen presentation and T cell activation in thymus and periphery.

Main Results:

Recessive tolerance relies on antigen-induced deletion of thymocytes lacking TCR editing.
Limited thymic antigen availability can compromise recessive tolerance.
Abundant peripheral antigens can activate T cells that escape central tolerance.

Conclusions:

Failing recessive central tolerance, particularly due to poor antigen presentation in the thymus, is a potential cause of autoimmune disease.
The balance of antigen availability between the thymus and periphery dictates T cell tolerance or activation.