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Updated: May 19, 2026

Spatial and Temporal Control of T Cell Activation Using a Photoactivatable Agonist
Published on: April 25, 2018
Pro-cognitive properties of T cells
Jonathan Kipnis1, Sachin Gadani, Noël C Derecki
1Center for Brain Immunology and Glia, Department of Neuroscience, School of Medicine, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, Virginia 22908, USA. kipnis@virginia.edu
Abstract:
Interactions between the central nervous system and the immune system have been studied primarily in the context of pathology, popularizing the view that interplay between these two systems is inherently detrimental. However, recent experimental data have demonstrated productive neuroimmune interactions that occur under normal physiological conditions. In this Essay, we outline our current understanding of contemporary neuroimmunology, describe a working model of T cell function in support of learning and memory, and offer ideas regarding the selective advantages of immune-mediated effects on brain function.
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