Thymocyte-stromal-cell interactions and T-cell selection

Several key advances have been made since 1992, notably in teh area of signalling in early T-cell development and in the regulation of T-cell selection. Future goals include a fuller understanding of the roles of stromal cells and matrix molecules in T-cell development and further elucidation of the diverse signalling pathways involved. The ultimate challenge will be to generate T cells from stem cells under conditions where all of the developmental cues that earmark thymopoiesis are defined.