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Alternative pathways for the selection of antigen-specific peripheral T cells.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Zheng, B; Han, S; Zhu, Q; Goldsby, R; Kelsoe, G
Published in: Nature
November 21, 1996

In the thymus, maturing lymphocytes receive activation signals mediated by the T-cell antigen receptor (TCR) that either promote clonal survival (positive selection) or induce apoptosis (negative selection). This balance between life and death is mirrored by the sensitivity of cortical thymocytes to apoptotic death induced by antibodies against the CD3 component of the TCR signal-transduction complex, bacterial superantigens that bind to the TCR beta-chain, and corticosteroids. In contrast, mature peripheral T cells are positively activated by anti-CD3 antibody or superantigens and are resistant to steroid-induced death. Here we show that in splenic germinal centres, T cells regain thymocyte-like sensitivity to TCR- and steroid-induced apoptosis and undergo antigen-driven positive and negative selection. T-cell responses elsewhere in the spleen are unaccompanied by programmed cell death. Our observations define a new differentiation pathway for peripheral T cells and suggest that germinal centres induce a lymphocyte phenotype necessary for the maintenance of self-tolerance.

Duke Scholars

Published In

Nature

DOI

ISSN

0028-0836

Publication Date

November 21, 1996

Volume

384

Issue

6606

Start / End Page

263 / 266

Location

England

Related Subject Headings

  • T-Lymphocytes
  • Spleen
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell
  • Mice
  • Germinal Center
  • General Science & Technology
  • Cytochrome c Group
  • Columbidae
  • Cell Differentiation
  • Apoptosis
 

Citation

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Zheng, B., Han, S., Zhu, Q., Goldsby, R., & Kelsoe, G. (1996). Alternative pathways for the selection of antigen-specific peripheral T cells. Nature, 384(6606), 263–266. https://doi.org/10.1038/384263a0
Zheng, B., S. Han, Q. Zhu, R. Goldsby, and G. Kelsoe. “Alternative pathways for the selection of antigen-specific peripheral T cells.Nature 384, no. 6606 (November 21, 1996): 263–66. https://doi.org/10.1038/384263a0.
Zheng B, Han S, Zhu Q, Goldsby R, Kelsoe G. Alternative pathways for the selection of antigen-specific peripheral T cells. Nature. 1996 Nov 21;384(6606):263–6.
Zheng, B., et al. “Alternative pathways for the selection of antigen-specific peripheral T cells.Nature, vol. 384, no. 6606, Nov. 1996, pp. 263–66. Pubmed, doi:10.1038/384263a0.
Zheng B, Han S, Zhu Q, Goldsby R, Kelsoe G. Alternative pathways for the selection of antigen-specific peripheral T cells. Nature. 1996 Nov 21;384(6606):263–266.
Journal cover image

Published In

Nature

DOI

ISSN

0028-0836

Publication Date

November 21, 1996

Volume

384

Issue

6606

Start / End Page

263 / 266

Location

England

Related Subject Headings

  • T-Lymphocytes
  • Spleen
  • Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell
  • Mice
  • Germinal Center
  • General Science & Technology
  • Cytochrome c Group
  • Columbidae
  • Cell Differentiation
  • Apoptosis