The self-obsession of T cells: How TCR signaling thresholds affect fate 'decisions' and effector function

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Abstract

Self-reactivity was once seen as a potential characteristic of T cells that was eliminated by clonal selection to protect the host from autoimmune pathology. It is now understood that the T cell repertoire is in fact broadly self-reactive, even self-centered. The strength with which a T cell reacts to self ligands and the environmental context in which this reaction occurs influence almost every aspect of T cell biology, from development to differentiation to effector function. Here we highlight recent advances and discoveries that relate to T cell self-reactivity, with a particular emphasis on T cell antigen receptor (TCR) signaling thresholds.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)815-823
Number of pages9
JournalNature immunology
Volume15
Issue number9
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 2014

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
Supported by the US National Institutes of Health (PO1 AI35296, RO1 AI088209 and R37 AI39560 to K.A.H., and R01 AI75168 and R37 AI38903 to S.C.J.).

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