Gene

Cell biology

Major histocompatibility complex

Biology

T-cell receptor

T cell

Clonal deletion

MHC class I

Bone marrow

Self Tolerance

Immunology

Genetics

MHC restriction

Immune system

Genome

Antigen

Chimera (genetics)

Negative selection

Transplant Immunology

T cells acquire immune functions during expansion and differentiation in the thymus. Mature T cells respond to peptide antigens (Ag) derived from foreign proteins when these peptide Ag are presented on the self major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules but not on allo-MHC. This is termed self-MHC restriction. On the other hand, T cells do not induce aggressive responses to self Ag (self-tolerance). Self-MHC restriction and self-tolerance are not genetically determined but acquired a posteriori by positive and negative selection in the thymus in harmony with the functional maturation. Allogeneic bone marrow (BM) chimera systems have been a useful strategy to elucidate mechanisms underlying positive and negative selection. In this communication, the contribution of BM chimera systems to the investigation of the world of T-ology is discussed.

Positive and negative selection of T cell repertoires during differentiation in allogeneic bone marrow chimeras